Thursday, June 23, 2016

Odisha Agriculture Secretary lauds CSISA's efforts to fast-track farm mechanization

by Preeti Bharti and Priyanka Anand


BHUBANESWAR, India—Manoj Ahuja (3rd from right in photo), principal secretary in Odisha’s Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DoA), recognized the efforts of the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) in reaching out to farmers during a Round Table Discussion on Mechanization here on 1 June.

"The government is committed to the development of agriculture and is hopeful that much can happen through farm mechanization," Ahuja said. "Let's work collaboratively to benefit Odisha’s farmers and to help in the state's progress.” 

As agricultural mechanization starts to gain momentum in the state, Dr. P.K. Mehedra, commissioner and director, Agriculture and Food Production, Government of Odisha, said that agroservice centers could play a vital role in promoting and fast-tracking the technology in the state. He expected CSISA to locate and map all agroservice centers in the state and then link them with service providers and farmers. 

Dr. R.K. Malik, senior agronomist, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, discussed CSISA’s initiatives for quality zero-tillage machines fitted with inverted-T type tynes and laser land leveling, which the project has introduced over the past three years. Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, senior scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and rainfed lowland agronomist for South Asia, presented CSISA’s plans for the next five years.

Dr. P.K. Paikray, joint director for agriculture (engineering), DoA, and Dr. Ashok Kumar, IRRI coordinator of the CSISA Odisha hub, were among the 50 participants, which included manufacturers of farm machinery and implements, senior agriculture officials, and service providers from around the state.

CSISA organized the event in conjunction with the Government of Odisha and machine manufacturers in Bhubaneswar.



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