To cater the mechanization needs effectively in southern India ICAR-CIAE established its outreach arm as an Industrial Extension Project at Coimbatore. Now, that project is converted into a full fledge ICAR-CIAE Regional Centre with its own building and administrative staff. Initially institute was started with four department’s crop production engineering; post-harvest engineering, electro mechanical engineering; and farm power. Subsequently, Agro Industrial Extension, irrigation and drainage related activities were included. The activities of the institute were further strengthened by new All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) and their centers and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK). At present ICAR-CIAE is nationally and internationally premier Agricultural Engineering Research and Development Institute in India devoted to develop and promote appropriate technologies for land development, farm mechanization, irrigation, processing of agro-produce, utilizing renewable, animate and mechanical power sources. Recently, The Union Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh visited CIAE, Bhopal.
Agricultural Minister conducted a meeting with scientists and staff of ICAR-CIAE, ICAR-IISS and ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal to take stock of their progress and contribution towards Indian agriculture, specifically in the field of agricultural mechanization. In his address, he urged the scientific community to find solutions for new problems related to input cost, output management, soil health, income generation and sustainability of farming. He also said every Institute should have a model farm area of at least 5 acre to demonstrate advance technologies help in higher revenue generation to the farmers.
During his meeting with official of Madhya Pradesh State Government, the Minister reviewed physical as well as financial progress of various developmental schemes of Government of India viz. National Food Security Mission, Gokul Gram, RKVY, Integrated Farming, Rainfed Area Development and ENAM. He said there should be strong linkage between ATMA and ICAR Institutes. He also said each KVK should have demonstration units on micro irrigation, appropriate post-harvest processing and a strong revenue generation model to demonstrate that farmers’ income can be doubled through improved technologies.
Dr. K.K. Singh, Director, ICAR-CIAE briefed about various technologies and achievements of the Institute showcasing an impact of about Rs. 4,500 crores per year on the Indian agriculture due to use of technologies developed by ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal.
An exhibition and demonstration of improved agricultural machines developed at ICAR-CIAE was also put up.
Chander Mohan
Krishi Jagran/New Delhi
