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Adoption of Farm Machines in a region depends greatly on socio economic condition of farmers. A survey was conducted in Dediapada taluka, Narmada District, Gujarat to assess their socio-economic status and their effect on mechanisation level. The maximum, minimum and average values of mechanization index are 78, 7 and 24, respectively. The mechanization tool level (MTL), which indicates percentage of mechanization used for particular farming operation in Dediapada region were 40% for tillage, 11 % for sowing, 18 % for intercultural, 35% for spraying, 22 % for weeding, 14 % for harvesting and 33 % for threshing. This paper also discusses future strategies for enhancement of mechanization in region.

The cereals of today are more nutritious and healthful than ever before. Cereals processing is one of the oldest and the most essential part of all food technologies. Pasta products and noodles have been staple foods since ancient times in many countries all over the world. In this study pasta formulation was substituted with blending sapota powder in different proportions (4 levels i.e. 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) into semolina and maida flour separately. Pasta products were prepared using eight different formulations and adding water (approximately 31% of total weight) in DOLLY pasta extruder machine. All the samples were evaluated for physical properties: specific length (mm/g), bulk density (kg/m3), specific density (kg/m3) and porosity (%); functional properties: water absorption index (%), water solubility index (%) and oil absorption capacity (ml/g) and nutritional compositions: moisture (%), crude protein (%), fat (%) and carbohydrate (%). Highest specific length 36.20 mm/g was observed for T5 treatment, low bulk density 368.10 kg/m3 was observed for T5 and highest porosity 9.24% was found for T1 treatment. The maximum WAI, WSI values 325.83%, 17.33% respectively was observed for T1 treatment and minimum value of oil absorption capacity 1.06 ml/g for T8 treatment. The moisture content of dried pasta products was found in the range of 6 to 7%. The maximum value of crude protein 13.07% was found for T5 and minimum value 8.81% for T4 treatments. The fat contents were varied from 1.02% to 1.28 %. The maximum value of carbohydrate was 76.20% for T1 and minimum value 65.41% for T8.