CSIR-CMERI organizes ‘Farmer’s Meet’ as part of its ‘Foundation Day’
Dr. Shekhar C Mande was the Chief Guest of the occasion
Durgapur: The Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), a constituent laboratory of the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), organized “Farmer’s Meet” as a part of its “Foundation Day Celebration Programmes” on February 25,2021 at Durgapur.
Dr. Shekhar C Mande, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Govt. of India was the Chief Guest of the occasion along with Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Director, CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, Dr.Vibha Sawhney Malhotra, Head, Socio Economic Ministry Interface, CSIR, Mr.SagarBandyopadhyay, Deputy Director, Agriculture Dept. Govt. of West Bengal, , Mr. ParthaMandal, Dy. General Manager, NABARD, West Bengal, Dr.Azizur Rahaman, Head, Krishi Vikas Kendra, Burdwan and Prof.Subrata Karmakar, Prof.& Head, Farm Machinery & Power Engg., Bidhan Chandra Roy Krishi Viswavidyalayay, Mohanpur, West Bengal.
Prof.(Dr.) Harish Hirani, Director CSIR-CMERI told that the main objective of the farmer’s meet is to provide platform to the farmers through technological intervention, to understand the basic needs of agrarian communities and also to provide an opportunity for various stakeholders like Government Financing agency, Krishi Vigyan Kendra and others to have been able to establish multilateral communication.
Prof. Harish Hirani expressed his gratitude to the Farmers for attending the first-ever Farmer’s Meet. CSIR-CMERI through its technology innovations has helped convert arid and barren tracts of lands fit for Agriculture. The same is also being promoted in an Organic manner. The weeds that grow along in the farms are also being innovatively converted into Carbon for fertilising the soil.
CSIR-CMERI has given Swaraj, Sonalika, Krishi-Shakti and now it is slowly transitioning towards a new domain in the form of e-Tractors, Compact Tractors and e-Power Tillers. CSIR-CMERI envisions a Diesel Free India through Electric Farm Mechanisation using Renewable Sources of Energy. The CSIR-CMERI Farm Mechanization technologies needs to be connected with the Government Schemes and Programmes to help benefit the farmers through subsidies.
Dr.Shekhar C Mande, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, GoI said “CSIR is serving the nation since 80 years, it has grown significantly since its inception in 1942 and has diversified itself in areas of science & technology.” Dr. Shekhar added that the dream of Nation today is to increase the income of the farmers by improved mechanism for which CSIR is committed to extend all kind of support.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Director, CSIR-IHBT, Palampur gave a very Informative speech with focus on cultivation of cash crops and diversified farming such as floriculture, Lemon Grass, Wild Marigold, bamboo, tea etc. He gave his idea of connecting small pieces into large land masses for cultivation with mechanized farming which would not only help in increase of production but also reduce the cost of production. One of CSIR objective is to provide improved crops and right techniques. Dr. Kumar appreciated the production of Harvesting mechanism by CMERI. He also shared his personal experience of apple farming in Himachal Pradesh and Hing cultivation for the first time in India as an example of empowerment of the farmers by adopting innovation.
Dr.Vibha Sawhney Malhotra, Head, Socio Economic Ministry Interface, CSIR said that CSIR has a number of technology for the benefit of the farmers and CSIR is ready to innovate and extend all support for the benefit of the farmers.
Mr.Sagar Bandyopadhyay, Deputy Director, Agriculture Dept, Govt. of West Bengal said “Country cannot prosper without the participation of farmers”. Mr. Bandyopadhyay pointed out the utilization of power in Agriculture. Mr. Bandyopadhyay asked Farmers to come forward and take the help of various schemes of the Govt. FFMS, ITD, KrishiSichaiYojna which provide service to the farmers at a subsidised rate.
All other dignitaries appreciated the efforts made by CSIR and motivated the farmers to take the help of these technology and also made them aware about various scheme initiated by Govt. to help the farmers like Infrastructure Development Fund, Fishery Infrastructure Fund, Kishan Credit Card and various other scheme and appreciated the effort taken by CMERI to initiate such a programme.
The first-ever CSIR-CMERI Farmer’s Meet witnessed the inauguration of the Farm Machinery Training & Testing Centre, Compact Tractor by Dr.Shekhar C Mande, Hon’ble Director-General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Government of India in the presence of Prof. Harish Hirani. Demonstration of e-Tractor, Farm Power & Farm Machineries, Waste Water treatment for Agricultural Usage, Smart Lighting and Smart Parking, World’s Largest Solar TreeandBio-Char production from waste Bio-Mass were also done to the participating Farmers. DG CSIR launched 9hp Compact Tractor innovated by CMERI for small and marginal farmers during the Meet.
The programme ended with Question Answer Session in order to get feedback from the Farmers. Many farmers showed interest and raised many questions which was answered by Hon’ble DG and other experts and were assured all kind of help and development in near future. The attending farmers thanked CSIR-CMERI for the noble initiative.
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