Mumbai: As many as one lakh bulls in rural Maharashtra have been relieved from pulling heavy sugarcane carts, following sustained efforts over the past 15 years to replace animal-driven transport with mechanised alternatives, the Free Press Journal reported.
The initiative has been led by Animal Rahat, an animal welfare group based in Sangli. The organisation has been working since 2011 to reduce the use of bullock carts in sugarcane transport through its sugar factory mechanisation initiative. It said its efforts have resulted in the deployment of 18,850 tractors and 270 harvesters across 26 sugar factories in Maharashtra.
According to the organisation, the transition has reduced dependence on animal labour and helped farming families use their time more productively. Families that earlier relied on bullock carts are now able to explore other income opportunities during the off-season, while bulls are no longer subjected to strenuous work.
Animal Rahat said bullock cart owners save around 20 percent of their time after switching to tractors, along with improvements in their health and family well-being. Under the project, the organisation facilitated the introduction of 13,063 mini tractors and 5,788 large tractors, replacing the labour of more than one lakh bulls.
Earlier, a pair of bulls typically hauled about four tonnes of sugarcane at a time. By comparison, a mini tractor can transport around 8.5 tonnes, while a large tractor can carry more than 18 tonnes in a single trip. The organisation said this has enabled many bulls to be retired completely.
Animal Rahat chief operating officer Naresh Upreti said the shift to mechanised transport benefits both animals and farmers. He said replacing bullock carts with machines spares animals from physical strain while improving efficiency for sugarcane producers. He added that the organisation will continue to support modernisation efforts and has urged companies to eliminate animal labour from their supply chains.
Alongside mechanisation, the organisation has also worked to improve conditions for bulls that are still used in sugarcane transport. Measures include enforcing load limits, installing rubber mats at weighbridges, and introducing sand beds to reduce hoof injuries.
Animal Rahat said it is supporting sugar factories in Maharashtra to gradually move towards animal-free operations. It estimates that around two lakh bulls are still involved in sugarcane transport and says further steps are needed to reduce their workload.
The organisation also noted that companies sourcing sugar from Maharashtra can help speed up the transition by insisting on supplies from factories that use mechanised transport. Upreti said bulls are social animals that form strong bonds, but in the sugar industry they are often overworked, made to pull excessive loads in high temperatures, and controlled through harsh methods that lead to frequent injuries.
