Brainstorming Session on Strategies for Atmanirbhar Bharat in Agricultural Mechanization organized

15th February, 2021, Bhopal

The ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh virtually organized a Brainstorming Session on “Strategies for Atmanirbhar Bharat in Agricultural Mechanization” on the occasion of its 46th Foundation Day today.

In her address, the Chief Guest, Ms. Shomita Biswas, Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India urged the Institute-Industry-Policy Makers to work in tandem to develop a policy framework for Atmanirbhar Bharat in agricultural mechanization sector. She emphasized on the development of agricultural machinery which are women friendly. The Chief Guest also accentuated on the need to strengthen the ICAR and DAC&FW interface for effective results.

In his address, Dr. K. Alagusundaram, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Engineering), ICAR stated that the agricultural mechanization should now focus on creation of facilities for storage, primary, secondary and tertiary processing and value-addition of perishable, semi-perishable and highly perishable agro produce in production catchment.

Dr. Kanchan Kumar Singh, ADG (Farm Engineering), ICAR urged the R&D Institutes to develop small and smart multipurpose farm machineries and tools suitable for different agro-climatic zones. He also stressed on the need to reduce the time taken for transfer of technology from R&D Institute to Industry.

Shri V.N. Kale Additional Commissioner (M & T) DOAC&FW, Government of India stressed on the need to conduct SWOT analysis and planning for reducing the number of machineries under the imports.

Shri T.R. Kesavan, President & Chief Operating Officer, TAFE & President, Tractor Manufacturers’ Association & Chairman, FICCI, National Agriculture Committee also participated in the session. Shri Kesavan stressed on making the R&D Institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras as the resource centres to support the innovators for developing their innovations, field testing, refinement and scaling-up to convert them into newer viable technologies.

Shri Sarabjeet Singh, Secretary, All India Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Association, India urged the policy makers for reducing the import duties on certain components, instruments and sensors imported by the Ministry of Small & Medium Enterprises Industries, Government of India.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. C.R. Mehta, Director, ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh outlined the current status of agricultural mechanization in the country. He also highlighted the need and importance for preparing the strategies for Atmanirbhar Bharat in the sector of agricultural mechanization in the country.

The main objective of the Brainstorming Session was to identify the specific areas of agricultural mechanization wherein the country may focus in coming years to ensure a self-reliant India.

The session registered a total participation by about 100 delegates.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh