ICAR-NAARM organized 2 days Training Programme on “Modern Mechanization for Sustainable Farm Efficiency” from 12-13th December, 2024 under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP), 2024-25 at Farmers Training House, ICAR-NAARM. A total of 51 farmers were participated in the training programme from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state (18 farmers from Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh & 33 farmers from Mahabubnagar district, Telangana State).
Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director of ICAR-NAARM, graced the inaugural session of the training program as the Chief Guest. In his address, highlighted the importance of adopting advanced farming technologies for improving productivity and ensuring sustainability. Emphasized how initiatives like the Custom Hiring Center (CHC) plays a crucial role in promoting farm mechanization by providing affordable access to advanced agricultural equipment for small and marginal farmers. By offering machinery such as tractors, harvesters, and sprayers on hire, CHCs help reduce the financial burden on farmers who cannot afford to purchase expensive equipment. Additionally, he highlighted, CHCs enable farmers to access specialized tools for specific tasks, reducing labour costs and enhancing the overall quality of farm operations.
Dr. Ramasubramanian V., Head (RSM) & Joint Director (Acting) of ICAR-NAARM, spoke about the significance of the training program in advancing agricultural practices through the adoption of modern mechanization. He emphasized that the program provided hands-on training to farmers on the latest equipment, enabling them to enhance farm productivity and sustainability. Additionally, he noted that ICAR-NAARM distributed essential machinery, such as rotavators, tractor-operated shredder cum mulchers, sprayers, and power tillers etc., to help farmers implement efficient and ecofriendly farming practices. Shri C. Vijay Sekhar, Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA) in Nandikottukur, explained the significant benefits of farm mechanization at the field level during the training program. He also expressed his gratitude to ICAR-NAARM for the distribution of advanced agricultural machinery and the establishment of the Custom Hiring Center. He highlighted that these initiatives would greatly enhance the livelihoods of farmers by providing them access to essential tools, ultimately promoting sustainable farming practices in the region. Dr. M. Balakrishnan, Principal Scientist and Chairman of the Sub-Plan Committee, ICAR-NAARM, discussed the diverse types of machinery available for different farming operations and how they can enhance productivity and sustainability. Dr. M. Ramesh Naik, Scientist, ICAR-NAARM, coordinated the training programme.
Original link: https://naarm.org.in
