Brainstorming Workshop on Farm Machinery Custom Hiring Centre’s Organized

17^th October 2016, Hyderabad

ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad organized a one day Brainstorming workshop under NICRA on "Policy Farming for Up-scaling Farm Machinery Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) here today.

The main objective of this workshop is to prepare a policy brief for operationalization and establishment of CHCs in India for the benefit of small and marginal famers.

Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-CRIDA in his address highlighted the need for farm mechanization particularly in the context of climate change, reduced sowing window, and implementing various climate resilient technologies at ground level.  He suggested that   focus  is needed how CHC’s are more useful for small holder farmers and policy brief need to focus on this.

Shri Y. Madhusudana Reddy, IFS, Vice-chairman and Managing Director, Andhra Pradesh Agro-Industries Development Organization, Hyderabad opined that the CHCs should be operated in Public Private Partnership mode with service motive.

The workshop was attended by  different stake holders which include delegates from  Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare  from Government of India, New Delhi, officials from  Department of Agriculture Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat States, representatives from  NGO’s from Maharashtra and Karnataka, officials from    KVKs located in  Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh states,    Farmer Members from different states who are operating Custom Hiring Centres,    Farm Machinery  Industrialists,  Senior officials from CRIDA, nodal officers from various ATARIs  from  Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttara Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan  states,  Scientists from NAARM, CIAE, delegates from State Agricultural Universities.

(Source: ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad)