"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:

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DR C D MAYEE, Advisor to the Agrovision Foundation, Nagpur

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.