Context:
Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd. (TAFE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to establish a JFarm Adaptive Agriculture Research & Extension Centre at the ICRISAT campus, Patancheru, Hyderabad.
Key Objectives of the TAFE–ICRISAT Collaboration
Sustainable Agriculture Promotion
- Educate farmers on:
- Sustainable agricultural practices
- Soil conservation techniques
- Efficient water management strategies
Scale-Appropriate Mechanisation
- Develop and demonstrate farm mechanisation technologies tailored to small and marginal farmers.
- Emphasis on crop residue processing solutions to:
- Reduce stubble burning
- Improve soil health and carbon retention
Infrastructure & Extension Services
- The JFarm centre will include:
- Training facilities for farmers
- Research plots for adaptive trials
- Technology demonstrations for modern, eco-friendly farm practices
Significance and Impact
- Supports India’s climate-resilient agriculture goals, especially in semi-arid regions.
- Strengthens the public–private research ecosystem in farming technology and rural outreach.
- Promotes farmer-centric innovation and inclusive mechanisation for smallholder empowerment.
About the Partners
- TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd.):
- One of the world’s largest tractor manufacturers
- Known for its agri-research initiative, JFarm, which disseminates practical, field-based knowledge
- ICRISAT:
- A global agricultural research institute focused on improving farming in dryland regions
- Headquartered in Patancheru, Telangana
