Odisha Seeks Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the Centre to establish one Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (CFMT & TI) in the state to meet the testing and training need of the state as well as of the neighbouring states.

He said the Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute located at Biswanathcharialli (Assam) meant for the eastern states of the country is unable to meet the need of the state to the desired extent.

The Chief Minister said  Odisha would provide all kinds of assistance required for the project including land, water, etc. to set up the institute.

“The state has been laying emphasis on farm mechanisation with an objective of improving efficiency in agriculture operations for cost reduction, increased productivity and an increase in farmers’ income,” said the chief minister in a letter to union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh.

He informed that for ensuring widespread use of farm machinery, the state government had enhanced subsidy in its State Agriculture Policy, 2013.

“As a result, the farm power input has increased from 1.32 kwH/Ha during 2012-13 to 1.45 kwH/Ha during 2014-15. The state is also providing a subsidy of around Rs.250 crore annually for this purpose,” he added.

The state has ten agro-climatic zones and hence there is a need to ensure quick testing of implements/machinery developed which are suitable for different agro-climatic conditions of the state and also for providing training facilities for operation, repair and maintenance.