TAFE & JFarm honor progressive farmers at the 7th Farmer's Day at Ongole
India's second largest tractor major, Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE) successfully conducted 'Farmer's Day' in Ongole today, aimed at reaching out to the farming community and enabling them get the best out of their farms through direct interactions with various agri-experts all at one platform.
- (1888PressRelease) February 28, 2012 - Ongole - Farmer's Day is one of the unique outreach initiatives undertaken by JFarm and an outstanding example of Corporate Social Responsibility by TAFE. The thrust of this event was on farming & pest management practices and farm mechanization for improving production of pulses, cotton and rice.
Mr. Ramakrishnan, Chief IT Oficer, TAFE, welcomed the gathering. Dr.SS Nagarajan, Vice president, Agri research, TAFE, spoke about the difficulties farmers face in the current scenario and how TAFE, through J farm, is coming up with new methodologies and also the research which will help the farmers in overcoming the difficulties. He persuaded farmers to get in touch with the Research Institutes all over India and utilize their services. Dr. Bhaskar Rao, Associate dean College of Agricultural Engineering, Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University, spoke on the recent development of mechanization of select crops that are specific to Prakasam Dt. Such as rice, sugarcane, cotton, pulses and tobacco. Mr. Raghavaiyya, professor and Head from College of Agricultural Engineering, Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University, spoke on pest management of select crops. He explained how pests are classified and ways to control pests. Dr. Mukunda Rao, Co-ordinator, District Agricultural Advisory & Transfer of technology centre, Ongole, spoke on production technologies for rice. He spoke about the importance of using high yielding varieties of seeds and about mechanization through agricultural equipment. Dr. V.Changa Reddy, Professor, regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam farm, Guntur, speech about production technologies for cotton and how to use the latest trends from Europe and USA to suit Indian conditions to improve yield and productivity was received very well. Mr.Viswanatham, Head, Cluster of HDFC bank, Tractor loans division, spoke about efficient use of financial instruments and also how a farmer can economize and approach the bank for short term credits.
Two outstanding farmers - Srimanarayanan and Danda Veeranjaneyulu were honoured at the event for using the latest techniques in agricultural research, being abreast with the market changes and also cultivating the most important crops of Ongole- pulses and paddy.
Sri Sivasambi Reddy, Ongole Dealer of TAFE was honored for his excellent support to the Farmer's day and for leading by example by using excellent farming practices. Ms. Neeraja Reddy his daughter co-ordinated the arrangements at the venue.
The event saw participation of over 300 farmers from Ongole and neighborhood areas. Most felt they benefitted from the Raithu Dinotsvam. Nagi Reddy from Markapuram gained knowledge from the session by Mukunda Rao on paddy cultivation and implements available for mechanization of paddy cultivation. He said he learnt about ways to protect paddy from fungi "Agithegulu" prominent in the area. Another farmer Periyya from Inkolu, learnt about the latest technology available for extracting oil from eucalyptus sap and for cutting bamboo. He appreciated information shared on cotton cultivation and new mechanization ideas. Gandu Subba Rao from Devarpalli said he learnt about best practices for cotton crop protection and the 40 -60 day cultivation methods for cotton crop. Dasarathramiah of Mallapuram said low cost machinery and time saving process shared today are beneficial. Farmer Vaikunta Swamy of Moppala said he learnt about low cost methods, mechanization and crop protection in cotton cultivation.
The sessions at the one-day event were complemented by demonstrations and displays of the latest techniques and scientific practices in farming and related areas like seed bed preparation, introduction to hybrid varieties of seeds, methods for efficient irrigation, agri-credit, crop protection, harvesting, storage and other farm related practices. Experts from State Department of Agriculture and other agricultural universities shared their expertise based on the specific crop cultivation pattern of the area.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. SS Nagarajan, Vice President (Agri Research) of TAFE said- "Through this Farmer's Day event, we would like to encourage farmers to accelerate the pace of agricultural development in fulfilling the national task of achieving self reliance in food production. Through consecutive successful Farmer's Day events organized in the past, JFarm has been able to considerably enhance the content and knowledge takeways for this Ongole event. Our mission at JFarm is to lead farming communities at the local and national levels towards sustainable, organic stewardship of land, food and fiber while respecting nature, upholding social justice and protecting natural resources."
Officials from financial institutions and government bodies also shared information on agricultural loans, subsidies and policies available to farmers and provided clarifications for their queries and concerns.
Progressive farmers of the area were recognized and honored and requested to share best practices with the rest of the farming community.
The first Farmer's Day event was held in Madurai, at TAFE's Kalladipatti plant in May 2006. The practice has been observed every year since then and is celebrated across varied geographies and cultural mixes in India.
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