New investments, more localization, CNH looks to expand its presence in India

The company which celebrated 25 years of operation in India recently has presence in Pune, Noida and Pithampur(Madhya Pradesh). Other than tractors, harvesters and balers, the company also manufactures construction equipment. Mittal said the company has invested around $350 million in the country over the last 10-15 years. “Along with the domestic market, India is an important export hub for us with equipment being shipped across the world” he said.

At present the company has managed to localise 90 per cent of the sourcing for its equipment. “Some of the premium parts are imported and we are trying to localise that too,” he said. The company has recently inaugurated a new engine plant in its Greater Nodia facility with a production capacity of 40,000-50,000 units per year. “The engines produced would adhere to the new emission TREM V norms,” he said. Along with emission norms, the company plans to make its equipment more fuel efficient, which would in turn help the farmers.

Mittal talked about the setting up of the India Technology Centre (ITC), which would see the company working on ITC solutions for the farm sector. At present CNH is conducting trials with drones in Lakhimpur Kheri to test the usage of technology in precision agriculture. “The drones will survey the field and look at places where the crop is in stress. Thus localised approaches would be taken to remedy the same,” he said. The low penetration of harvesting and post harvest equipment in the country he said was due to lack of awareness. “Along with the government we have to make the conditions conducive for the adaptation of such technologies and equipment,” he said.