The financial year 2020-21 would be considered unforgettable by the tractor and farm equipment industry. In spite of the hurdles created owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tractor Industry registered an unbelievable 27 percent year-on-year growth in sales. It reflected the coming of age of both tractors and agricultural equipment. It perhaps reflects the role that tractors and matching agricultural equipment would play in ensuring the country maintains its progress in agricultural production.
CEAT Specialty, on April 23, 2021, presented the awards of the Indian tractor and farm implements industry- the 2nd Indian Tractor of the Year (ITOTY) Awards. Winners of these awards, which signify the highest product performance standards in the category, were presented the trophies in the presence of Industry veterans, visionaries, top executives and agriculture enthusiasts. In a significant departure from how award ceremonies are usually held, the entire programme was held online with the presenters, the awardees and the audience interacting virtually.
Reflecting its great design and popularity, Sonalika Tiger 55 was adjudged the “Indian Tractor of the Year 2021“, while Escorts’ “Farmtrac 60 PowerMaxx” was awarded the “Best Tractor For Agriculture 2021“. In the Implements category, “Shaktiman Square Baler 165” won the “Machinery of the Year 2021” award.
ITOTY Awards 2021 is hosted by the Tractor Junction, India’s leading digital marketplace for tractors and farm equipment. Speaking on the occasion, Rajat Gupta, Founder, Tractor Junction, said, “We have received an overwhelming response from tractor and implements manufacturers for ITOTY 2021. More than 18 manufacturers participated this year against the participation of 10 manufacturers in 2019. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we could not roll out the much-awaited 2nd edition in 2020 of ITOTY awards. However, with the new normal in effect, we have organised a virtual edition of ITOTY 2021. The event judged by leading industry experts and customers through an unbiased and transparent voting process and is based on factors such as fuel-efficiency, safety and performance, comfort, value for money and popularity amongst the farming community.”
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Addressing the programme, Vijay Gambhire, Chief Executive, CEAT Specialty, said, “We are happy to be associated with the ITOTY awards. ITOTY has become a forum to identify best products and is leading to increased mechanisation in the Indian agriculture segment. With focus on design as well as performance, ITOTY recognises the best creative minds in the Indian tractor industry. CEAT Specialty is happy to be associated with ITOTY and supports the effort in recognising and promoting the development which will substantially contribute to the advancement of best practices in agriculture industry in India.”
A total of 8 jury members of ITOTY have a diverse background of Sales, Product, Marketing, Testing, Ergonomics in Tractor and Farm implements.
The process of choosing the winners were quite transparent, it was based on 60 percent weightage of jury members and 40 percent of public voting. The voting process is defined and the ITOTY constitution lays the foundation with the necessary rules to ensure that a fair evaluation is done. Each jury member has to vote for a minimum of three contenders from the final shortlist and can only distribute a total of 10 points amongst the tractors and farm implements being voted for. And the juror must pick only one clear winner that gets the maximum number of points.
Winners of the ‘Indian Tractor of the Year’ 2021
- Indian Tractor of the Year- Sonalika Tiger 55
- Orchard Tractor of the Year- Force Orchard DLX
- Launch of the Year- Powertrac Euro NEXT Series
- Fastest Growing Tractor Manufacturer- Sonalika (International Tractors Limited)
- Best Tractor for Commercial Application – New Holland 3230 NX
- Best Tractor for Agriculture – Farmtrac 60 PowerMaxx
- Smart Tractor of the Year– Sonalika Tiger Electric & Farmtrac Electric
- Best Design Tractor- New Holland Excel 5510
- The Classic Tractor of the Year– Eicher 242
- Best 4WD Tractor of the Year – Kubota MU4501 4WD & Solis 5015 4WD
- Best CSR Initiative – All The Participants ACE, Force, New Holland & Sonalika
- Best Tractor Under 20 HP– Captain 200 DI 2WD
- Best Tractor between 21-30 HP– VST 932
- Best Tractor between 31-40 HP– Escorts Powertrac 439 RDX
- Best Tractor between 41-45 HP– Kubota MU4501
- Best Tractor between 46-50 HP– Eicher 551
- Best Tractor between 51-60 HP– New Holland 3630 Tx Special Edition
- Best Tractor above 60 HP– Same DeutzFahrAgrolux 70
- Machinery of the Year– Shaktiman Square Baler- 165
- Rotavator of the Year – Maschio Virat Rotavator
- Reversible Plough of the Year 2021– LEMKEN 2/3MB Plough
- Straw Reaper of the Year– Jagatjit Straw Reaper
- Post Harvest Solution of the Year – Shaktiman Post Harvest Products & Solutions
- Power Tiller of The Year- VST 165 DI (16 HP)
- Smart Farm Machinery of the Year – Maschio SP Planter – Vaccum Precision Planter
- Self Propelled Machinery of The Year– Preet 987 Combine Harvester
- Fastest Growing Implement Manufacturer– Shaktiman (Tirth Agro Technology)
