Syngenta India unveils 7th edition of I-SAFE Programme in Maharashtra

Company plans to train at least 1000 Certified Spray Men, conduct safe use training for 5000 farmers, cover 500 villages by deploying public awareness van in next one year.

Syngenta India, a leading agri input company, launched its 7th edition of I-SAFE (Inculcating Safety Awareness for Farmers Empowerment) program in Yavatmal in the presence of Sanjay Rathod, Hon’ble Minister of Food and Drug Administration, Government of Maharashtra and District Collector, Yavatmal, Amol Yedge.

Under the I-SAFE initiative, Syngenta India in next one year now plans to train at least 1000 Certified Spray Men, conduct safe use training for 5000 farmers, cover 500 villages by deploying public awareness van and conduct training for at least 100 doctors on Recognition and Treatment for accidental pesticide exposure. So far 62,000 farmers have been trained under the I-SAFE program at Yavatmal.  A well-equipped Mobile Health Van to provide primary healthcare facilities was also flagged-off. The farmers were supported with PPE kits and certificates for spray-men entrepreneurs were also distributed.

Syngenta has established six cotton model farms in Yavatmal to train the farmers on safe usage of crop protection products.  The company has also implemented other sustainable practices such as soil health analysis – optimum use of fertilisers, pheromone traps for effective pink ball worm management, crop protection protocol, to grow the cotton more sustainably and effectively.

Dr K C Ravi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Syngenta India, said, “We have been working in Yavatmal for seven years. Since the launch of I-SAFE in October 2017, over 2500 spray men and farm labour counselling sessions have been conducted on safety and safe use practices. Over 800 doctors have been trained and public awareness sessions have been conducted in 1000 villages. Primary healthcare support using Mobile Health vans have reached to 1,25,000 people so far”.  Dr Ravi added that the use of tools like Grower App will determine the course of future farming. “Syngenta India is committed to making Yavatmal farmers future ready. We are also working on ensuring their safety, and sustainability of farming.”

Cropwise Grower App, an AI-powered tool offers swift, simple and effective solution to farmers by identifying pest or disease attack and get instant remedy. It also provides live weather updates, mandi prices, credit finance facilities, insurance services, among others. Using Crop Doctor feature, a farmer needs to do is click a photo and upload on the Cropwise Grower App.

The App is being promoted as part of I-SAFE (Inculcating Safety Awareness for Farmers Empowerment), an initiative of Syngenta India aimed at ensuring total safety of Yavatmal farmers by creating awareness and helping them with tools, techniques and know-how. CropWise Grower App helps farmers with instant information on safe use and storage of agro chemicals, soil health, understanding of crop protocols, knowledge of pest and diseases, pheromone trap installation and much more.

Company plans to train at least 1000