Odisha CM seeks Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute in State

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requested the Centre to set up a Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute in the State to improve agriculture operations.

Patnaik told Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh in a letter  that the State has been giving emphasis on farm mechanisation with an objective of improving efficiency in agriculture operations for cost reduction, increased productivity and farmer’s income.

The state government has enhanced subsidy in its State Agriculture Policy, 2013 to ensure widespread use of farm machinery. State is also providing subsidy of around Rs.250 crore annually for this purpose.

Odisha CM  said that the state has 10 agro-climatic zones and hence there is a need to ensure quick tests of machinery for providing training, repair and maintenance.

He said the central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (CFMT & TI) in Biswanath Chariali in Assam, which is meant for the eastern states, was unable to meet the need of the state to the desired extent.