CHANDIGARH: Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and it cannot function effectively and efficiently without a fairly steady agricultural development. The same resonated at this year’s CII Agro Tech 2016 where latest technologies were displayed and launched in a bid to boost the agriculture sector in the country.
The young farmers invested in technological innovations, seeking solace from the mundane agricultural processes at the fest. Succha Dyal, a farmer from Gurdaspur said, “CII Agro Tech 2016 provides a platform for farmers to pick and choose from a wide array of farm equipment related to the health of the soil, choice of crops to be grown and dairy farm management in the advent of latest technology.”
He added, “I am happy to have invested in the National Pneumatic Planter Machine, which will help in yielding my crop productivity.”
Gurpreet Singh, representing National Agro Industries, which launched various new machines at the exposition said, “Considering the extent of seed wastage in India, we have come up with the National Pneumatic Planter Machine that guarantees optimum seed to soil contact which ensures proper germination thereby, saving scarce and costly labour. This will definitely help in enhancing the profit levels of the rural farmers.”
Syncing with the thoughts, Tripta Devi, daughter of a small potato farmer from Fazlika district of Punjab said, “Till a few years ago, the loss of crop production peaked up to 50 per cent, landing us into the viscous circle of debt trap. But now, the interface of government has helped us rise above the conventional crop cycle and diversify into other profitable crops. We don’t have to suffer from crop ripening and wastage, owing to the farm to fork cold chain. This has really helped us save more and enjoy some luxuries of life which we couldn’t afford earlier.”
The fest also hosted several self-help groups (SHGs) that specializes in homemade products. Trained by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, the farmers behind these groups are pioneers in producing the items apart from packaging and labeling them and finally connecting them directly with consumer in the market.
More than 60 products made by farmers were on display at the CII Agro Tech 2016 such as the honey and pickle from the Gurdev Kaur Deol’s stall from the Ayali Khurd village in Ludhiana and turmeric and the Aleo Vera Gel from KKNS products of India of Burj village in Fatehgarh Sahib.
“I learnt of the help that the PAU offers in direct marking in 2011 and have since learnt the importance of marketing. It is really a great concept and I want to learn even more as there is no limit to what one can apply and earn,” says Nirmal Singh (35) of the KKNS Group, who has a stall at the States Pavilion. The group has a turnover of around Rs 1 crore and sells 11 kinds of pickles, herbal tea and turmeric.
56-year old Gurdev Kaur Deol from Ludhiana said, “People are now aware of our products and we now have orders from Delhi and even the Southern India.”