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Karnataka hosts India’s first electric tractor mela, paving the way for clean and affordable farm mechanisation
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Monday, 08 December, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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Karnataka has taken a major step toward sustainable and cost-effective agriculture by hosting India’s first-ever Electric Tractor Mela in Bengaluru. The event was inaugurated by State Agriculture Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy at the College of Horticulture, University of Horticultural Sciences Campus, and marked the public launch of Moonrider’s new range of electric tractors.
Organised by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in partnership with Villgro and Moonrider, and facilitated by the Centre of Excellence for Farmer-Producer Organizations (CoE-FPO), the mela brought together more than 200 farmers from 100 FPOs across Karnataka. It served as an interactive platform for farmers to learn firsthand about clean, modern mechanisation technologies.
Minister Chaluvarayaswamy hailed the mela as a timely intervention to help smallholder farmers adopt cleaner, more efficient, and more affordable agricultural technologies. The highlight of the event was Moonrider’s 27HP, 50HP, and 75HP electric tractors, which farmers were able to test and evaluate. Moonrider Founder & CEO Anoop Srikantaswamy said the strong on-ground response affirmed that electric tractors are no longer futuristic—they are already transforming Indian agriculture.
NRDC also released its report, “Powering Agriculture: Unlocking the Potential of Electric Tractors in India,” which shows electric tractors can deliver up to 80% lower operating costs, nearly 50% lower total cost of ownership, and significant health benefits due to the absence of diesel emissions, heat, and noise. NRDC India Country Director Dipa Singh Bagai said the findings position electric tractors as a game-changing solution for small and marginal farmers.
Experts at the mela emphasised how electric tractors, especially when deployed through Custom Hiring Centres and FPO-led rental systems, can democratise access to modern mechanisation. Dr. Seetharamu G.K, Director, CoE-FPO, noted that operating costs are up to 75% lower compared to diesel tractors, with even higher savings when powered by solar energy.
A closed-door roundtable brought together financiers, OEMs, and think tanks to discuss policy support and financing models needed to accelerate adoption. Villgro CEO Srinivas Ramanujam stressed the importance of building an ecosystem that makes sustainable mechanisation practical and trusted.
To ensure continued access, Moonrider’s electric tractors will now be stationed at the College of Horticulture and monitored by CoE-FPO and Anekal FPOs, enabling farmers statewide to test and experience the technology firsthand.
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