The low-cost tractor is finally a reality. Launched this week by a Delhi-based company, the tractor is supposed to be 40 per cent cheaper than the lowest existing prices in the market, but at par with the best in efficiency.

“Traditional animal power on farms is scarce and prohibitively expensive, what with a single bullock costing upto Rs 5000 per month. Our tractor, Angad, will reduce farmers’ dependence on bullocks. Besides being fuel efficient, its maintenance costs are low,” said Ravindra Kumar, managing director of SAS Motors.

Priced at Rs 1.49 lakh in a market where regular tractors of similar capacity cost around Rs 2 lakh, the 22 HP, single-engine tractor, company sources said can be assembled at the tehsil level and repaired by a cycle mechanic.

“Regular tractors, with horse power ranging from 40-60, are based on foreign models that need to till vast ranches in cold and harsh weather conditions. In India, a farmer who owns land ranging from two to four acres does not need high horse power. We have tried to make this tractor suitable for Indian conditions. It is basically a Chinese model with 140 modifications tailormade for Indian conditions,” said Kumar.

Industry reactions to the launch were cautious, with most experts withholding their opinions till they saw the performance.

The company has three manufacturing units in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh where it has already been launched and apparently sold 3,000 units already.