Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday inaugurated the Summit on Farm Machinery Technology jointly organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Tractor and Mechanization Association (TMA). While addressing the Summit, Minister said According to Minister, around 85 percent of the country’s farmers could profit from technology and machinery.
The government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is constantly working in this direction at all levels. Under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), the states have received Rs.6120.85 crore from 2014-15 to 2022-23 for different initiatives including as training, testing, and the establishment of CHCs, hi-tech centres, and Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs). Furthermore, state governments have provided 15.24 lakh farm machinery and equipment at subsidized rates, including tractors, power tillers, and automated machinery.
Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, the chief guest, stated that through the implementation of the new system at the Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (CFMTTI), Budni (M.P.), the Government of India has decreased the time needed for completing tractor testing to a maximum of 75 working days.
In addition, from 2014-15 to 2022-23, the Central Government trained 1.64 lakh workers through its four FMTTI-designated authorized test centres. The formation of the Rupees One lakh crore Agricultural Infrastructure Fund is another significant move in this direction, with projects worth Rs. 14,000 crore authorized that will benefit farmers.
He further said that Kisan drones are being encouraged, and in addition to adopting the drone policy, subsidies are being provided to various sections such as farmers, SC-ST category, women farmers, and crop specific SOPs for pesticide application using drones.
Agriculture a national priority: Narendra Singh Tomar
The minister stated that agriculture is a national priority, and that no one, under any circumstances, could damage the fabric of our agriculture-based rural economy. In terms of agricultural products, India currently ranks first or second in the world, thanks to the hard work of farmers, the contributions of scientists and industry, and the government’s farmer-friendly policies supported by technology.
But we must not rest on our commendations, rather, we must prepare a roadmap to meet the needs of our increasing population by 2050, and in the changing political scenario, we have concerns about meeting the requirements of our country as well as other nations.
But we must not rest on our commendations, rather, we must prepare a roadmap to meet the needs of our increasing population by 2050, and in the changing political scenario, we have concerns about meeting the requirements of our country as well as other nations.
Narendra Singh Tomar stated that while we are competing in terms of output, we should enhance it by comparing it to the production of foreign countries rather than our own records from prior years. Even if land is scarce, we must continue to increase food grain production. Agricultural scientists play an important part in this, and the importance of technology, notably machines, has grown in recent years.
Wastelands should also be made cultivable, and there is a need for attracting future generations to agriculture, according to current need. Under Prime Minister Shri Modi’s leadership, the government is working in this direction. Farmers’ market access has also been improved through e-NAM mandis, and shortages in the agriculture sector are being filled, with more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore in packages intended for Agriculture and Allied sectors. He emphasized the importance of bringing technologies such as micro-irrigation to as many farmers as possible while conserving water.
The Summit was attended by office bearers and members from CII and TMA including Shri Bhartendu Kapoor , Shri Mukul Varshney, Shri Krishna Kant Tiwari, and Shri Antony Cherukara. Participants in the conference included Original Equipment Manufacturers, policy strategists, suppliers, and product development and design organizations.
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