Neighbours got their fields laser levelled and say it saves water and gives better yield. How does it actually work and is it worth hiring?
A laser land leveller uses a laser guided blade to make a field very precisely flat, far more level than traditional levelling, so irrigation water spreads evenly without high and low patches. Even levelling means water reaches all parts uniformly, cutting the water wasted in low pooling spots and dry high spots, which saves water and irrigation time and often improves germination and yield because the whole field gets consistent moisture. It also reduces weed patches in waterlogged hollows and can save seed and fertiliser. The benefit is largest in flood irrigated fields like paddy and wheat. It is expensive to own, so most farmers hire it through a custom hiring centre once every few years, as the levelling lasts several seasons. Check the per acre hire rate and any subsidy with your local CHC or agriculture office.
Get the field surveyed first and ask the operator how much earth has to be moved. If your land has big slopes, the first levelling takes more time and costs more per acre, and may need a second pass after a year. On nearly flat land it is quick and cheap. Knowing the cut and fill before booking saved me from a surprise bill.
After hiring laser levelling for my paddy field my water use dropped noticeably and the crop stand became even, with fewer weedy waterlogged patches. The levelling lasted several seasons, so hiring once made far more sense than owning. Ask your CHC the per acre rate.
After laser levelling my paddy field my water use dropped noticeably and the crop stand became even. I hired it from the CHC, no point owning it for a job you do once in a few years.
Book it in the off window between crops, because in peak season the levelling machines are in heavy demand and rates go up. I waited for a slack period, got a better per acre rate and the operator had time to do it properly. Plan it ahead rather than rushing it at sowing.
The benefit is biggest in flood irrigated fields like paddy and wheat; on my well drained plot the gain was smaller. It is costly to own for a job you do once in a few years, so hire it. Check if your agriculture office gives any subsidy on the hire.
On water saving, do not expect a fixed number, it varies by soil and how uneven the field was. My uneven paddy field saved a good bit of water and irrigation time after levelling, but a neighbour with an already flat field saw little change. Worth confirming the likely gain for your field type before paying, and the levelling does last several seasons.
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