TAFE’s Free Tractor Rental Helped 64,000 Farmers

TAFE, one of the preeminent tractor manufacturers in the country, through its free tractor rental scheme, enabled about 64,000 small and insignificant farmers in Tamil Nadu to continue farming operations during the second wave of the COVID outbreak in over 1.03 lakh acres in an interminable manner.

TAFE Launched its "Free Tractor Rental Scheme" FTRS under its JFarm service, the platform has received an overwhelming response from the farming community related to the same. after the launch of Ftrs Within 60 days, over 1.55 lakh hours of free tractor and farm implement rental services were provided under this program and cultivating over 1,03,000 acres, management mentioned in a release.

TAFE Offers High-Demand Equipment

TAFE offers 19,000 Massey Ferguson & Eicher tractors and 33,500 pieces of equipment on a “free” rental basis to small farmers of two acres or less. Against the estimated coverage of 50,000 farmers in Tamil Nadu, the scheme covered 64,000 farmers. Under this scheme, high-demand equipment like cultivator, disc plow, duck-foot cultivator, and the rotary tiller was widely used by the farmers.

CSR initiative by TAFE

This CSR initiative by TAFE was aimed at protecting the farming community from the economic impacts of COVID-19, and mitigating the impact of the threat of coronavirus on the agricultural operations of small and marginal farmers during the crucial Rabi crop and Kharif preparation season.

“We have been given an opportunity to serve small and marginal farmers at this critical juncture, and at the same time, play a role in augmenting farmers’ revenue through the direct benefit system, which has been welcomed by both tenant farmers. and small farmers,” said Mallika Srinivasan.

Government support

The scheme will be implemented with the support of the Agriculture Department.

State Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam said, “TAFE JFarm Services free tractor rental scheme played a vital role in helping small and marginal farmers to continue farming operations during the second wave of COVID outbreak. The initiative of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to partner with TAFE helped in providing timely assistance and benefitted around 64,000 farmers and cultivated 1,03,000 acres. They mentioned in words that “We thank the Chief Minister for his focus on farmer welfare and the Agricultural Minister for his support,” Mallika Srinivasan, chairperson and managing director, TAFE, said in the release.

The total outlay towards all of TAFE’s contributions to COVID-19 relief is ₹15 crore, the company mentioned.