DIMO expands to agricultural sector, launches ‘DIMO Agri’

T. Pavanan , Country Head Sri Lanka-CLAAS, Dr Jens Oeding , Regional President of Asia_CLAAS, Gahanath Pandithage Group CEO DIMO, Channa Weerawardane, Director DIMO, Gihan Fernanado Assistant General Manager DIMO Agri Machinery, Prem Kumar, Regional Business Head,CLAAS during launching of new farming tractor by CLAAS in Sri Lanka on 04th July 2016

By Hiruni Dabarera

In fresh efforts to expand its presence in the agricultural sector, Diesel and Motor Engineering (DIMO) PLC, one of the leading automobile companies in Sri Lanka, launched its new identity ‘DIMO Agri’ recently.

DIMO which has facilitated the local agricultural sector for over two decades hopes to substantiate its position in the highly-competitive business environment by catering to the ample opportunities created in the local agricultural sector through technical advancements that take place in the global arena coupled with preference of people towards healthy, organically-grown food. 

“DIMO Agri Division has performed well in 2015/16. It is important that an ambitious company like DIMO expands its presence in different areas of the local agricultural sector,” stated DIMO chairman and Managing Director Ranjith Pandithage. 

Looking at global trends in agriculture, the world is in need of 70% raise in overall output for the next 35 years to feed 9.7 billion people in 2050. There is a minimum per capita food requirement of 1.1 trillion kg.  Demand for consumers in rapidly growing economies will increase with changes in food habits (Increase in middle class-0.9 billion people (2014) up to 2.1 billion people (2030).

Food price volatility will also increase due to stronger linkages between agricultural energy markets. Agriculture for energy, not for food continues due to bio fuel demand resulting in high cost food in the future. 

From the supply side there are challenges due to increasingly scarce natural resources in some regions, as well as an increased frequency of weather shocks.

Sri Lanka, however, has a productivity problem in the agricultural sector. While 28.2%of the total work force is engaged in this sector its contribution to the country’s GDP is only 8.7%. 

“Through our newly-launched logo, all our current and future business activities will be aligned with next generation agriculture. This will enable us to introduce futuristic products and solutions for the local agricultural sector,” shared the DIMO Agri Machinery Division Assistant General Manager Gihan Fernando.

DIMO Agri Machinery brings the latest state-of-art technology in the field of agriculture and is the sole local distributors of the world-renowned Mahindra tractors and CLAAS harvesters. During the DIMO Agri launch, the company introduced several new products to the market symbolising its vision of next generation agriculture. 

CLAAS, a leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery globally with over 100 years’ legacy, launched its flagship machine Crop Tiger 40 Terra Trac Combine Harvester at the launch. As the Sri Lankan agrarian community focuses on mechanisation, there is a surge in demand for machinery such as harvesters and other farm equipment in the local market. 

Equipped with the revolutionary Tangential Axial Flow threshing and separation mechanism, the Crop Tiger 40 Terra Trac provides excellent grain quality with minimum losses. The track technology that this machine consists enables it to operate even in the most difficult field conditions. Two Bridgestone rubber half-tracks ensure the uniform distribution of the machine’s weight on the ground and also provide maximum traction in the field.

Strengthening its product portfolio DIMO Agri also launched its Garuda farm equipment range targeting small-scale vegetable growers. These include the baby weeder, micro weeder, mini weeder and master weeder. These equipments are designed to combat the labour shortage and the high labour cost of small-scale vegetable growers. 

The new Arjun Novo and Mahindra Yuvo tractors are the latest additions to the DIMO Agri Mahindra range. Mahindra is the world’s number one tractor company has maintained its partnership with DIMO for more than 30 years. 

The Mahindra Novo & Yuvo is estimated to pioneer the current tractor market, with its superior fuel efficiency, hi-tech, advanced synchromesh transmission , 18 speed options (includes 15 F, which is the highest number of forward gears offered in Bangladesh and 3R gears), precision hydraulic with highest pump flow for quick lowering and finally its unmatched performance in class the highest torque and a backup torque of 33% that will deliver uniform and consistent power with minimum RPM drop in all application and soil conditions. It doesn’t end there, as its full flat platform, comfortable seating, suspended pedals and ergonomic controls allows the driver to have fatigue-free long hours of operations in the field.

DIMO Agri plans to introduce more world-class agri-related technologies and solutions to Sri Lanka to further expand its portfolio. 

Pix by Gitika Talukdar