TAFE’s JFarm and ICRISAT Launch New Agri-Research Hub in Hyderabad

Key Highlights:

• TAFE partners with ICRISAT to launch new research centre in Hyderabad.

• Centre to promote sustainable and mechanised farming practices.

• Focus on gender equality, water saving, and soil health.

• F2F Digital Custom Hiring model to be showcased.

• Training for farmers on machines, crop waste, and entrepreneurship.

Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE), India’s second-largest tractor manufacturer and one of the largest globally, has entered into a partnership with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Together, they will set up a new agricultural research centre named the JFarm Adaptive Agriculture Research & Extension Centre at ICRISAT’s Patancheru campus in Hyderabad.

Also Read: TAFE Sets Ambitious Target of 2 Lakh Tractor Sales for FY26

JFarm’s Legacy in Indian Agriculture

TAFE started the JFarm initiative in 1964 as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project to help Indian farmers. The aim was to provide farming solutions through research, demonstrations, and training. Over time, JFarm expanded its presence:

• 2016: New JFarm centre in Bhawanimandi

• 2019: Partnership with PJTSAU in Telangana

• 2023: Partnership with VNMKV in Maharashtra

Now, TAFE is strengthening JFarm’s impact by collaborating with ICRISAT under the Centre of Excellence for South–South Cooperation in Agriculture (ISSCA). The new Hyderabad centre will promote farming innovation, both from India to the world and vice versa, especially for the Global South.

Focus Areas of the New JFarm Adaptive Research Centre

The new research and extension centre will combine ICRISAT’s agricultural advancements with TAFE’s farm mechanisation expertise. Some of the key focus areas include:

• Testing innovations like machine-harvestable chickpeas in different agro-climatic conditions

• Promoting sustainable farming through efficient soil and water use

• Educating farmers about crop residue management and selecting the right-sized machines for their land

• Encouraging gender equality and social inclusion in farming

Also Read: AGCO and TAFE Reach Agreement on Commercial and Shareholding Issues

Promoting Farm Entrepreneurship

One major goal of the new centre is to train farmers to become agri-entrepreneurs. It will:

• Connect agricultural research to real-world farming

• Promote service-based farming models to reduce input costs

• Train farmers in the use and maintenance of tractors and other machines

• Display and promote the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) Digital Custom Hiring model, which allows farmers to access machinery without owning it

The centre aims to act as a knowledge-sharing hub for farmers, start-ups, experts, and agricultural research institutions.

What the Leaders Said

Dr. T R Kesavan, Group President and Board Member, TAFE, stated:
"We aim to promote precision farming while protecting land and water. We understand the diverse needs of farmers and believe that sharing knowledge is key to increasing the number of farmers who use machines. With ICRISAT’s support, we can reach farmers in every corner."

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT, said:
"Mechanisation is vital for India’s future in farming. Without it, we cannot reach the goal of Viksit Bharat (Developed India). This partnership is not just about machines. It’s about using research to reduce chemical use, labour needs, and environmental harm. We aim to take these solutions not just across India but to Africa as well."

Also Read: Mahindra Sells 3 Lakh Tractors in the US, Celebrates 30 Years of Earning Farmers Trust with Indian Strength

CMV360 Says

TAFE and ICRISAT’s new research centre marks a major step toward sustainable, inclusive, and mechanised farming in India. With a strong focus on innovation, training, and entrepreneurship, the JFarm Adaptive Agriculture Research & Extension Centre will support farmers in adopting modern technologies, protecting resources, and improving livelihoods. It’s a move that can benefit farmers in India and across the Global South.