TAFE and PJTSAU Partner establishes Agri Research Center JFarm and Product Training Center in Telangana

Hyderabad, July 27, 2022: TAFE inaugurated JFarm - Telangana, an adaptive agriculture research and extension center on July 23, 2022 at Telangana State Agriculture University, ARI Campus, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. This facility is the first in the country to be built under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, setup under the aegis of PJTSAU & TAFE.

The new center provides a platform for farmers to interact with agricultural experts on a wide range of concepts such as scientific farm practices, organic farming, and the conservation of soil, water and natural resources. TAFE’s adaptive research center also facilitates the transfer of agro-technology and mechanization in agriculture, using equipment that is ideally suited for the drylands of Telangana, through demonstrations and training programs.

TAFE’s Product Training Centre (PTC), as an integral part of the facility, will educate the farmers on the integrated mechanization model of TAFE, which combines the operation and servicing of tractors, equipment and machinery.

The center was inaugurated by Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman & Managing Director - TAFE, M. Raghunandan Rao (IAS), Agriculture Production Commissioner & Secretary - Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of Telangana, and Dr. V. Praveen Rao, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, PJTSAU.

Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman & Managing Director - TAFE, said, “TAFE’s vision of Cultivating the World focuses on improving farm productivity and farmer prosperity. It is with this in mind, that TAFE established both JFarm and its Product Training Center, as a CSR initiative, way back in the 1960s, to impart knowledge through applied research, practical mechanization demonstration, interactions and training to the farming community, as a pioneer in the field of farm mechanization. TAFE’s JFarm and PTC at Telangana, a CSR initiative and a third such establishment in the country, is a reaffirmation of TAFE’s commitment to enhance agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability in the country.”

“With the inauguration of the JFarm and Product Training Center, TAFE looks forward to working with the PJTSAU in promoting technological advancements best suited for Telangana farmers, towards promoting agriculture sustainability in the region, and to bring greater benefits to the small and marginal farmers of the state that constitute 55% of its population,” she added.

Speaking at the event, Dr. V. Praveen Rao, Vice Chancellor, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University said “The future of farming lies in adapting to technologies that are data driven, involving IOT, AI & ML, that involve predictive and prescriptive analytics to balance optimized use of resources and maximization of profits to all the stakeholders. This is particularly relevant in the backdrop of climate change impacts on the agro ecosystems that call for immediate steps for reducing the carbon and water footprint, while putting food on the plates for the ever-growing global population. We need to reorient our focus from production-oriented farming to value chain based sustainable food systems, and farm mechanization is a big part of this paradigm shift.”

“PJTSAU, as a young University has adapted to this need early on and has reoriented its research and education mandate towards delivering climate resilient technologies and Agri 4.0 ready skilled workforce. We believe that collaborations and partnerships are the key to finding implementable solutions at all levels and benefitting all stakeholders. In this context, we appreciate the CSR initiative of TAFE to setup the JFarm & Product Training Centre Telangana on our premises, which I am sure would have far reaching impacts for our students and rural youth in terms of skilling and custom hiring services to small farm holdings. I would be happy to see this centre flourish and serve as a model for the entire nation to emulate.”