M&M ups Rajkot tractor production by 38%

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M), a part of the $12.5 billion Mahindra Group, announced an increase in the production capacity of its mini-tractor -Yuvraj 215 - at its Rajkot plant. It also rolled out the 13,636th mini-tractor in the presence of Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman and managing director, Mahindra Group on Thursday. The plant capacity has been scaled up from 1,800 tractors per month to 2,500.

Speaking at the occasion, Anand Mahindra, said, "Mahindra Tractors has always strived to pioneer products which increase productivity and deliver prosperity to farmers. The Yuvraj 215 is one such product as it offers easy access to mechanised farming at a cost effective price."

Meanwhile, officials from Rajkot firm, PM Diesels Group remained tight-lipped on the four-hour visit by Anand Mahindra. "Mahindra wanted to visit the plant. It was a routine visit and as an industrialist he inquired about the local industrial activities," an official said on conditions of anonymity.

M&M has a contract-manufacturing tie up for Yuvraj 215 at Shaper near Rajkot with Deepak Diesels Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of PM Diesels Limited, one of the largest diesel pump set manufacturers in the country. The tractor is useful for farmers with small land holdings as it increases the cost effectiveness in farming activities. Yuvraj was launched in July 2010 and has since received wide acceptance at the national level.

Meanwhile, upon returning from his Rajkot visit, Mahindra appraised the entrepreneurial spirit of the city. "In Rajkot yesterday, (I was) expecting an arid area (and) was amazed to see only greenery. The story of water harvesting in the area is an unsung success story. Rajkot is a typical boomtown, sprouting malls and skyrocketing real estate. What's atypical is the local entrepreneurs' spirit of giving back," he tweeted.

Mahindra, along with his farm equipment division team arrived in Rajkot at around noon. He spent most of his time at the production facility, where Yuvraj 215 is manufactured, and left for Mumbai at around 5 pm in the evening in his private aircraft.

During the visit he also interacted with some farmers and dealers of the tractor.