“Farmers are increasingly becoming interested in hydroponics, vertical farming and drone technology”

A distinguished plant protection scientist and epidemiologist, Dr C D Mayee currently holds the esteemed positions of President at the South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC) in Jodhpur, Vice President at the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) in New Delhi and Advisor to the Agrovision Foundation in Nagpur. In addition to these roles, he serves as the chairman of AFC India Ltd. At the age of 77, Dr Mayee continues his relentless efforts in developing disease prediction models and identifying disease hotspots, particularly for crops grown in semi-arid regions.  At the recently held 14th Agrovision, Dr Mayee spoke at length with AgroSpectrum and delved into the profound impact Agrovision has had over the past 13 years within the farming community. He also shed light on Agrovision’s significant role in uniting all stakeholders of the agricultural industry on a single platform, fostering profitability and sustainability in farming. Edited excerpts:

What has been the impact of Agrovision on the farming community in Central India and beyond over the last 13 years?

The Agrovision initiative was conceived by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, and Chief Patron, Agrovision, with the primary aim of addressing the pressing issue of farmer suicides in Vidarbha, known as the “Capital of Farmers’ Suicide.” He recognised that it was imperative to introduce farmers to technological advancements in agriculture and dissuade them from resorting to extreme measures. Vidarbha, with its vast expanse, boasts nearly 50 lakh hectares of cultivated land. Cotton and soyabean dominate around 28-29 lakh hectares, particularly in the rainfed areas of western Vidarbha, while rice, the predominant crop in eastern Vidarbha, covers approximately nine lakh hectares. As a result, during the primary Kharif season only a few crops occupy up to 75 per cent of the region’s agricultural land. Any setbacks due to untimely rain, drought or flooding left farmers in dire straits forcing them to rely on loans for sustenance. Agrovision’s core mission is to educate, inspire and empower farmers by diversifying agriculture. This diversification allows them to cultivate alternative crops or engage in allied activities in times of crop failure due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Over the past 13 years, Agrovision has successfully promoted diversification by introducing activities such as dairy farming, sugarcane cultivation, clustered apple plantations, beekeeping, sericulture, goat farming, and fisheries in rice-growing regions. In addition, bamboo cultivation, and various allied activities have been integrated. These endeavours have captured the attention of farmers, making them realise that embracing activities like cow and goat farming, along with other allied pursuits, can substantially increase their income and in case of crop failure these diversified activities help to overcome livelihood challenges.

This, indeed, represents the most significant impact of Agrovision: the education, encouragement, and empowerment of farmers to diversify their agricultural practices and safeguard their livelihoods.

How do workshops benefit farmers, and what makes the workshops at Agrovision unique?

Workshops play a pivotal role in Agrovision, distinguishing it from typical mega exhibitions that generally do not include such interactive sessions. In line with our commitment to addressing farmers’ diverse interests and needs, Agrovision has incorporated a series of workshops that cater to various aspects of rainfed agriculture, as part of our educational initiatives.

Our approach involves bringing together experts and successful practitioners in specific fields of agriculture. For instance, if a farmer expresses an interest in sericulture, we assemble sericulture specialists and accomplished farmers to conduct a dedicated two-hour workshop. During these workshops, farmers have the opportunity for in-depth interactions with experts.

Agrovision has organised workshops covering approximately 26 to 32 diverse topics for farmers. There is always an overwhelming response from the farmers and only those who are serious about learning come with a diary and pen to take notes from specialists. Typically, these workshops feature the participation of around 35 to 40 experts and around 25 to 30 farmers, all contributing to a rich exchange of knowledge and experiences.

In recent times, we’ve observed that farmers themselves express a growing interest in emerging topics such as hydroponics, vertical farming, and drone technology. As a result, these subjects have been incorporated into our workshop offerings. The demand for these workshops continues to rise, as they have proven to be a potent tool for disseminating knowledge on a wide range of agricultural subjects, all in one convenient location.

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A distinguished plant protection scientist and epidemiologist,