Sprayers
play a very important role in agricultural operations. Today, most of
the sprayers that are available in the market are of a 16-litre
capacity, usually having metal body and priced at more than one
thousand five hundred rupees per unit. These sprayers are not suited
for farmers with small holding sizes, as the sprayer capacity is not
fully utilized. Some plastic body 16-litre sprayer is also available
but they pose the problem of being cumbersome and heavy. The imported
category does have small sprayers but they are expensive.
For
treating their crop, the small farmers usually borrow sprayers from
the larg farmers and from retailers of agricultural equipment in the
region. At times of emergency, when there is a crisis of sprayers, a
premium is usually charged for hiring them. Small farmers cannot
easily afford the rent and are often exploited. The large sprayers
spray large droplets, which may harm the young plant due to pressure.
Secondly the spray also leads to large-scale wastage, as big drops are
not absorbed at foliage.
