The Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh inaugurated two-day Conference on “Innovations in Agricultural Mechanization – Development of linkage among R&D Institutes - Industry – Farmers” today at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Radha Mohan Singh congratulated Agricultural Engineers/ Scientists of the country who have contributed a great for increasing the productivity of farm produce through mechanization. In his inaugural address the Union Minister emphasized that agricultural mechanization is essential for agricultural modernization and accordingly its benefits need to be extended to all categories of farmers in each agro-climatic zones of the country. He has informed that the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has clear road map and vision for agricultural development and welfare of farmers and Shri Narednra Modi is always guiding force in the adoption of appropriate plans and programs towards this. Shri Singh also stressed upon the need to transfer the latest technology to the farmers so that their income may be doubled by way of reducing the cost of cultivation and increasing production. Shri Radha Mohan Singh has requested to all the manufacturers to come forward for the commercialization of technology so that the appropriate technology may reach to the farmers to benefit them. The Union Minister has stressed upon the need for saving the water and the mantra “per drop, more crop”.
During the inaugural address, Shri Singh emphasized on the establishment of four new Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes in the Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The Union Minister has also informed about the initiatives taken by his Government by which the farmers of the country have been benefited especially Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchayee Yojana; Solar Pumping Set System; Soil Health Cards etc. Shri Radha Mohan Singh also advised to adopt the technologies in agriculture which can save the water and thereby increase the profitability. However, most of our business due to small land holdings, using compatible equipment is not economically advantageous. Enable custom hiring centers for agriculture to farmers through agricultural machinery are available, and it is a good effort. He has released the book namely “Farm Mechanization in India – The Custom Hiring Perspective” on this occasion. The Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Shri S.K. Pattanayak extended his heartfelt welcome to the gathering and in his key note address he stressed upon the formidable challenges in the agriculture sector such as shrinking land base, dwindling water resources, shortage of farm labour, increasing costs and uncertainties associated with volatility in international markets. However, the challenges can be addressed and the productivity of the farm in-turn can be realized by increasing land and labour efficiency in agriculture through appropriate farm mechanization. During the plenary session, the eminent personalities in the field of agricultural mechanization presented the latest innovations and technological development in the agricultural machinery and equipments. The national innovation foundation has stressed upon the need for standardization of grass root technologies developed by the rural innovators / artisans. The technology developed in the R&D systems of ICAR and private sectors have been shown to the farmers and the Government officials for their promotion and popularization. Some of the innovations have also been offered for commercialization such as