BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has requested the Centre to establish a Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute in Odisha.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday assured all assistance to the Centre including land and water to set up the institute. In a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Naveen said the Central institute at Biswanathcharialli in Assam meant for the Eastern States is unable to meet the need of Odisha to the desired extent.
The State has 10 agro-climatic zones and hence, there is a need to ensure quick testing of implements/machinery developed which are suitable for different zones and also for providing training facilities on operation, repair and maintenance, he said.
The Chief Minister said, “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.”
Stating that the State Government has enhanced subsidy in its Agriculture Policy, 2013 to ensure widespread use of farm machinery, the Chief Minister said the Government is providing subsidy of around `250 crore annually for this purpose.