M&M set to widen reach of innovative farming methods

World’s largest tractor company Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, for facilitating Innovative Farming Technology Development and Dissemination on Wednesday.

Signing the MoU on behalf of UAS Vice Chancellor R.R. Hanchinal briefed about the achievements of UAS and said the university will co-operate for soil and irrigation water testing facilities, technology interface through Internet, productivity demo farms, agricultural counselling facilities, seeds and crop care products. The vice chancellor also suggested to M&M to establish a chair in the University which would strengthen the activities for the betterment of the farming community.

Through MoU, the UAS will extend participation of Subject Matter Specialists (SMS) for dissemination of innovative farming technology through Mahindra Samriddhi Centres. In addition to this, the UAS through a team of crop experts, will also train M&M officials and its channel partners’ executives to enhance competency on predominant kharif and rabi crops.

Mahadev B Chetti, Dean, College of Agriculture, UAS, Dharwad who has been instrumental in developing and co-ordinating the programme, informed that 28 students (both undergraduate and post graduates) from Dharwad and Bijapur campus have been selected for the award of fellowships for pursuing their studies.

The company will also support research and outreach activities for farmers.

Sudhir Shah, General Manager, M&M signing the MoU said the company was committed to bringing in prosperity in the farm sector, especially among small and marginal farmers. It is also focussed on ensuring food security in the country. He said, under the agreement, M&M will provide a Mahindra Samriddhi Grant of Rs 10 lakh per year to UAS, Dharwad. The grant will be provided for scientists and post graduate students to undertake research in areas like seed technology, soil and water conservation, farm mechanisation and such others, as well as for innovative research in crops like rice, sugarcane, potato, cotton, soyabean, wheat, corn and pulses. Further, M&M will provide placement opportunities to participating students. The undergraduate students will be given a stipend of Rs 2000 per month during their village stay programme for the dissemination of innovative farming technologies among farmers.

“The farm equipment sector has expanded its business vision to move beyond tractors to the larger area for facilitating improvement in Indian agriculture. This MoU initiative aims to nurture budding agricultural talent and provide education in innovative farming technologies, thus reflecting M&M’s commitment to agri-prosperity. M&M will sponsor and work in co-ordination with UAS in pilot projects for soil and water conservation, end-to-end crop specific mechanisation solutions and synergy between engineering and agronomy,” said Sanjeev Goyle, Senior vice president, marketing, Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.