TAFE, ICRISAT join hands to set up agri-research centre in Hyderabad to boost sustainable farming
(
TAFE
) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (
ICRISAT
) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the 'JFarm Adaptive Agriculture Research & Extension Centre' in Patancheru, Hyderabad.
The partnership, formalised on July 11, 2025, will see TAFE and ICRISAT collaborate on promoting mechanised, resource-efficient, and socially inclusive farming practices. The new centre will be part of TAFE's
JFarm initiative
— launched in 1964 to empower farmers through research and training — and will operate under ICRISAT's Centre of Excellence for South–South Cooperation in Agriculture (ISSCA).
Pivotal to Viksit Bharat
The centre will focus on field-validating innovations like machine-harvestable chickpeas, soil conservation, water-use efficiency, crop residue management, and lab-to-land technology transfer. It will also provide training to farmers on tractor operations, servicing, and integrated mechanisation models. One key highlight will be the promotion of the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) Digital Custom Hiring model that enables mechanisation access without the need for ownership.
TAFE's Group President, Dr. T R Kesavan, said the collaboration aims to 'implement precision agriculture while safeguarding land and water resources.' He added that the initiative reflects TAFE's belief in last-mile knowledge dissemination.
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT, called mechanisation 'pivotal to achieving a Viksit Bharat,' adding that the partnership will help reduce chemical inputs, labour dependency, and environmental impact — with potential applications across Africa.
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TAFE, ICRISAT join hands to set up agri-research centre in Hyderabad to boost sustainable farming
Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited ( TAFE ) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics ( ICRISAT ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the 'JFarm Adaptive Agriculture Research & Extension Centre' in Patancheru, Hyderabad. The partnership, formalised on July 11, 2025, will see TAFE and ICRISAT collaborate on promoting mechanised, resource-efficient, and socially inclusive farming practices. The new centre will be part of TAFE's JFarm initiative — launched in 1964 to empower farmers through research and training — and will operate under ICRISAT's Centre of Excellence for South–South Cooperation in Agriculture (ISSCA). Pivotal to Viksit Bharat The centre will focus on field-validating innovations like machine-harvestable chickpeas, soil conservation, water-use efficiency, crop residue management, and lab-to-land technology transfer. It will also provide training to farmers on tractor operations, servicing, and integrated mechanisation models. One key highlight will be the promotion of the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) Digital Custom Hiring model that enables mechanisation access without the need for ownership. TAFE's Group President, Dr. T R Kesavan, said the collaboration aims to 'implement precision agriculture while safeguarding land and water resources.' He added that the initiative reflects TAFE's belief in last-mile knowledge dissemination. Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT, called mechanisation 'pivotal to achieving a Viksit Bharat,' adding that the partnership will help reduce chemical inputs, labour dependency, and environmental impact — with potential applications across Africa.
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Values form the core of a legacy and a successful culture. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo While institutionalizing these, we need to move forward, adopt technology, encourage innovation, and create a work environment that provides a learning culture and meets the aspiration of young professionals, evoking in each of them an entrepreneurial spirit. You were pivotal in forging a path for TAFE from acquiring Eicher's tractor business 20 years ago to resolving the dispute with long-term partner AGCO just recently. Do you see these milestones as growth catalysts for your company? How important are experiences like these to your vision of what you wanted TAFE to be when you entered the corner room? One starts with a dream and a clear vision. As the organization progresses, it develops strong capabilities while simultaneously the environment and competitive scenario evolves. Opportunities and challenges arise. One must be open to factoring these to recast strategy as required towards realization of the vision. The goal is clear. The path towards it, has to be periodically evaluated and refined. What's your vision for TAFE in the next 5 years? Where do you see the company and where do you see the industry? Our vision statement is 'Cultivating the World'. As one of the largest tractor manufacturers in the world and with a strong reputation for quality products, we are well positioned to move towards our vision. India is the world's largest tractor market and domestic volumes are expected to cross 10 lakh this year with export volumes growing faster than domestic and overall volumes are expected to be in excess of 11.25 lakh. Over the next three years, we expect the domestic industry to grow at an annual 3% to 5% with export growth in excess of 10%. We at TAFE are confident of growing faster than market growth in both domestic and export with an estimated volume of 2 lakh tractors this year. Besides, TAFE is investing in expanding into a range of specialized and self-propelled farm equipment like paddy transplanters and harvesters for domestic and international markets. We are also leveraging our strong manufacturing capability and quality standards to produce engines for international OEs. Our plans are ambitious and include both organic and inorganic avenues for growth. In many ways you were stepping into the shoes of a giant when you took over as CMD of TAFE from your father A Sivasailam. What were his leadership mantras that have stayed with you as you continue to take the legacy forward? Ethics, quality and human values truly defined him, and we continue to take this legacy forward. 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