Event

India’s largest agricultural machinery manufacturer shows off its strengths at Agritechnica Asia and strengthens dealer ties in Thailand.

Making an impressionable appearance in the 2024 edition, Shaktiman placed its Mobile Shredder and Fighter rotary tiller center stage at Bangkok’s Agritechnica Asia, demonstrating the strength of the product development pipeline from India’s largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery and equipment.

Needing just 40 horse power to operate, the Mobile Shredder – a dual-purpose trailed shredder – can be used either as a fodder harvester, with a throughput of up to 8 tons per hour, or as a field clearance aid post-harvest, particularly for stalky row crops such as cotton, castor and maize.

“The Mobile Shredder is a prime example of Shaktiman’s approach to simple but effective machinery for fast cutting and shredding of forage,” says Abhishek Malaviya, International Sales Manager for Shaktiman.

“It’s been designed to make farming easier. So it has a foldable frame to make transportation easier, an inbuilt sharpener to avoid the need to remove blades, and a carefully specced cardan shaft to avoid power loss through the transmission, maintaining the ability to use the farming equipment with all but the very smallest tractors. A trolley hitch behind the main frame makes it simple to collect the shredded material, or it can be left in the field.

“It’s a farming equipment we expect to generate significant interest here in Thailand,” he notes.

A reminder of just how far Shaktiman has progressed was the presence on the stand of its Fighter range of rotary tillers. A rotary tiller was Shaktiman’s very first product in 1997; the latest Fighter model is expected to attract attention from Thailand’s rice farmers, thanks to its compact and lightweight build.

“With the four-model range weighing between 255 and 325kg, this is an incredibly lightweight machine that places smaller loads on the tractor, reducing the risk of sinking and soil compaction,” explains Abhishek.

“The entry model, with a working width of 1250mm, requires no more than 25hp. Even the FT-185, with its 1805 mm width, can be successfully powered by a 35hp tractor. This really is an accessible range, with very simple mechanics to keep power requirements low and maintenance demands at a minimum.”

But there is another Shaktiman product that has generated a considerable volume of inquiries among Agritechnica Asia attendees, and that is the company’s highly successful sugarcane harvester. The SSCH-3737, powered by a six-cylinder, 173hp turbocharged Cummins diesel unit driving an 1100mm topper, and boasting an advanced telemetric system, auto-cleaning and ‘glass cockpit’ to improve operator monitoring, is emblematic of the rapid progress made by the company in building a modern portfolio of quality machinery to cover every stage of the crop cycle.

“The SSCH-3737 is just one of the 107 new products we’ve launched in the last five years,” says Mr. Ashwin Gohil, Chairman of Shaktiman.

“Our extremely wide and diverse portfolio helped Shaktiman secure more than 50% of the domestic market in India, thanks to a relentless emphasis on understanding the needs of the farmer,” he adds.

Mr. Gohil says by focusing on those needs in product development, Shaktiman has curated a product offering that provides accessible farming solutions not just in India, but to farmers across the globe as the company brings its products to new customers in other regions and countries.

Agritechnica Asia also provided a valuable opportunity to highlight and strengthen the relationship Shaktiman has with its long-term dealer, Chokchai Agricultural Machinery. Established in 2001, CAM has been handling Shaktiman’s sales and servicing across Thailand for more than 7 years.

Shaktiman was one of 353 exhibitors from 28 countries taking part in Agritechnica Asia 2024. Held every two years in Bangkok, the 2024 event set new attendance records with more than 12,000 visitors, an increase of 35 percent since the previous exhibition. The statistics confirm Agritechnica Asia 2024 as the leading Asia Pacific exhibition for crop production and smart farming.

World leading and India’s largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery and equipment has announced an ambitious expansion to empower farmers all over the globe.

Since its inception in 1997, when its product range consisted solely of rotary tillers, Shaktiman has helped improve mechanization amongst India’s 90 million farmers, thanks to a modern portfolio of superior quality, accessible machinery that today covers the entire crop cycle, from seedbed preparation to crop residue.

India’s largest exporter of agricultural machinery now seeks to bring its product offering to new customers in many more countries, after launching 107 new products in the last five years, and a product development pipeline featuring new balers, self-propelled sprayers, forage harvester and sugarcane harvesters.

“Shaktiman was the first Indian company to develop customized farming solutions for the Indian farmer,” says Mr. Ashwin Gohil, the company’s chairman, “and it’s those solutions that have helped propel Shaktiman to secure an extremely wide domestic market share.

“We believe every farmer needs someone who understands his needs and can deliver efficient, viable, and sustainable solutions to preserve soil, water, and natural resources” Mr. Gohil continues, “We know how important it is to have solutions that fit everyone’s needs because we are farmers first. It is also crucial for us to empower farmers, their families, and all rural communities by training them regarding important topics of farm mechanization technology and sustainable agriculture.”

That human-centric approach has been instrumental to Shaktiman’s success with Indian farmers, and it’s the same approach that has seen the company offer its wide range of products to farmers across the globe.

Machinery manufacturers have a responsibility to not only help develop a more vibrant agricultural economy but also a more sustainable one, believes Shaktiman. Sustainability is one of its core values, and it is tangible in all the different aspects of the brand.

Recognizing the challenges modern farmers face, Shaktiman delivers on those objectives while supplying farmers with technologically advanced agricultural machinery and equipment that deliver complete confidence through reliability, quality, and exemplary customer support.

This is possible thanks to a strong R&D department at Shaktiman’s headquarters in Rajkot, Gujarat. A team of 100 engineers operate manufacturing plants covering 27.5 and 16 acres, where prototypes and new machines are put through their paces.

The combination allows steady development and expansion of the company’s portfolio: over 25 new products are typically added to the range every year, and the company holds nearly 90 patents worldwide.

The measure of its technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities was confirmed in 2019, when it entered a joint venture with Germany’s GRIMME. The collaboration focuses on the design and development of a full line of high-tech solutions for potatoes and other root crops.

“Although Shaktiman already enjoys a presence in 100+ countries, the new expansion plan commits the company to reaching more than 4 million farmer customers by 2030,” explains Mr. Hasmukh Gohil, Managing Director at Shaktiman. “Shaktiman’s intense focus on customer service – already it has 1,000+ dealers – is crucial for the expansion of its global footprint.”

“We’ve got a strong and established customer service strategy in which the dealer plays a major role,” Mr. Ashwin Gohil points out. “To maintain that same level of service – which starts with our ‘designed for service’ philosophy, but also includes customer onboarding and dealer maintenance contracts – we need partners who share our same objectives: empowering farmers.”

SHAKTIMAN GLOBAL MEETING 2024: UNVEILING A VISIONARY FUTURE

Tirth Agro Technology Private Limited, known globally as SHAKTIMAN, an international company in the agricultural and livestock machinery sector, is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the Shaktiman Global Meeting 2024. This important event took place in India from March 1 to 5, 2024.

Shaktiman Global Meeting 2024

The meeting brought together 150 international partners and distributors from over 60 different countries. Over five impactful days, participants immersed themselves in the world of Shaktiman, experiencing the brand’s heritage, innovation, and commitment to excellence.

The event began with an informative tour of Shaktiman’s state-of-the-art facilities in Rajkot (Gujarat, India), highlighting the brand’s manufacturing capabilities and strong commitment to quality. During the tour, attendees were introduced to Shaktiman’s 77,000-square-foot product showroom. Partners were able to explore more than 100 of Shaktiman’s high-end products, including specialized harvesters, rotary tillers, rotary brush cutters, seeders, sprayers, and silage balers.

In addition, Shaktiman inaugurated the L.S. Gohil Learning Academy, a state-of-the-art educational facility. Named in honor of the company’s visionary founder, the late Shri Ladhubhai S. Gohil, the academy is dedicated to farmers, drivers, partners, engineers, and mechanics, and serves as a center for the development of knowledge and skills in agricultural mechanization. The announcement of the inauguration by Shaktiman President Mr. Ashwin Gohil marks an important step forward in reinforcing Shaktiman’s commitment to education and skills enhancement, laying the foundation for a brighter and better-informed future.

The journey then moved to the vibrant city of Kochi (Kerala, India), which offers a unique blend of cultural immersion and business networking, including visits to iconic landmarks and cultural performances.

The highlight was the conference held on March 4, which focused on Shaktiman’s expansion goals. Distinguished speakers from the company, including Hashmukh Gohil, CEO of Shaktiman, and Shashank Watane, Senior Vice President of International Business, shared valuable insights and data, shaping the narrative of the brand’s future projects. Mr. Hashmukh Gohil expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “I am immensely proud of our collective achievements in reaching and providing affordable agricultural solutions to over 1.5 million farming families worldwide. Looking ahead to 2030, our ambitious goal is to extend this impact to 4.0 million farming families. On this journey, we are not only making history, but building a lasting legacy.”

The conference featured renowned athlete Deepa Malik, winner of 5 Indian President’s Awards, 4 Limca World Records, 3 international awards, and India’s first female Paralympic medalist. Recognized as Woman of the Year 2019 by the International Paralympic Committee, Deepa Malik is a symbol of inclusion and resilience. Deepa Malik’s powerful speech resonated deeply with partners, distributors, and employees, whom she motivated with her message of never giving up.

Beyond business, the Shaktiman Global Meeting 2024 showcased cultural exchange, highlighting the company’s roots in Indian traditions. The event also emphasized Shaktiman’s commitment to sustainability, with a focus on the company’s goals for water and carbon footprint reduction. In 2023, Shaktiman achieved a 58% water usage reduction, projecting a 62% reduction in 2024, with an ambitious goal of 80% reduction by 2030. Similarly, the company aims for an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

As a company deeply ingrained in the agricultural landscape, Shaktiman acknowledges the crucial role farmers play. The commitment extends beyond business, aiming to give back to the farming community and society at large. Through various initiatives, Shaktiman strives to make a positive impact on the lives of farmers, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and contributing to the betterment of rural communities.

The Shaktiman Global Meeting 2024 stands as a testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaborative growth. With a forward-looking international branding approach, Shaktiman is leading the way in the agricultural and farm mechanization industry, creating a sustainable and impactful legacy for generations to come.