TAFE to conduct pilot project for women farmers Bangalore

Bangalore, March 19, 2013: Close on the heels of its lab-to-land initiative to train the farming community, TAFE has decided to extend the programme to women farmers. A pilot project to train women farmers in farm management -- soil conservation, pest management, yield improvement, tractor driving and implements usage -- will soon be launched, the company said during a Farmer's Day event at Doddaballapur, near Bangalore.

TAFE focused on horticulture, the hallmark of the region, with a variety of fruits and vegetables, and conducted sessions on best farming practices. Over 350 farmers, including women farmers, took part in the day-long programme. K Srinivasan, senior chief agri-economist, TAFE, said: "Through this Farmer's Day event, we encourage farmers to accelerate the pace of horticultural development in fulfilling the national task of achieving self-reliance in fruit production. Our mission is to lead farming communities at the local and national levels towards sustainable, organic stewardship of land, food and fiber while respecting nature, upholding social justice and protecting natural resources."

TAFE also honoured progressive farmers including two women, in the region, and recognised them for their noteworthy farming practices. In addition, an impromptu quiz was conducted and meritorious students from farmers' families were felicitated.

Farmers' Day is one of TAFE's unique outreach initiatives undertaken on its 'J' Farm, a 200-acre property on the outskirts of Chennai, which functions as an adaptive research and agricultural extension centre that focuses on the development of good farming techniques and crop varieties. The first Farmer's Day event was held in Madurai in May 2006. The practice is observed every year.