TAFE and ICRISAT to Set Up Agri-Research Center in Hyderabad
TAFE has partnered with ICRISAT under the Centre of Excellence for South–South Cooperation in Agriculture (ISSCA) to drive innovation exchange and agri-development across the Global South.
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Leading tractor manufacturer Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE) has signed an MoU with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to establish the "JFarm Adaptive Agriculture Research & Extension Centre" at the ICRISAT campus in Patancheru, Hyderabad.
Launched as a CSR initiative in 1964, TAFE’s JFarm has expanded through partnerships across India and is now going global through collaboration with ICRISAT under the Centre of Excellence for South–South Cooperation in Agriculture. The new centre will leverage ICRISAT’s research, including innovations like machine-harvestable chickpea, with TAFE’s mechanization expertise to promote sustainable, fully mechanized agriculture and extend these advances throughout the Global South.
Speaking about the event, Dr T R Kesavan, Group President and a member of TAFE’s Board, said, “Our goal is to implement precision agriculture while safeguarding land and water resources. We have a deep understanding of the diverse needs of the farming community; we recognize and believe that knowledge-sharing is key to widespread adoption of mechanization. With ICRISAT’s expertise, we are confident in effectively disseminating these advancements to the last-mile farmer.”
Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT, added, “Mechanization is pivotal in modern agriculture, and without progress in this area, we cannot achieve the goal of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). This collaboration goes beyond just promoting mechanization, it’s about advancing research to reduce chemical inputs, labor dependency, and environmental impact. Our vision extends beyond India; we aim to scale these innovations across Africa.”
The centre will train farmers in sustainable practices, promote mechanization models like crop-residue management, and support lab-to-land transfer of appropriate technologies. It will also showcase JFarm’s digital custom hiring model, enabling smallholders to access farm equipment without ownership, and serve as a platform for collaboration among startups, researchers, and farmers.
