Guest Author: Mr. Harish Mehta, Senior Advisor, Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI)
08 June 2022, New Delhi: It is famously said that all great changes are preceded by chaos. The world as we knew it a year ago has evolved and adopted to disruption caused due to the pandemic. The crisis led to chaos but it also brought with it a plethora of opportunities, transformations and upgradation in agriculture.
Mr. Harish Mehta, Senior Advisor, Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI)
Agrochemicals was declared as a champion sector and CCFI members continued indigenous manufacturing, distribution and field operations for the benefit of the farmers.
As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, CCFI and its team were already back on the road spearheading their mission of promoting judicious use of agrochemicals by famers, their contract labour & women
These activities have been lucidly captured in their latest video ENRICHING LIVES. This mission takes CCFI members across the country to Nagpur, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chattisharh, Rajahmundry, Guntur & Indore.
As a major interface between Universities, state Government, researchers, bureaucrats & scientists. The farmers were trained on the spraying operations and also explained in detail the use of correct dosages for making a spray solution, proper nozzles type, sprayers to be used, besides storage, disposal of containers etc.
This was possible because of CCFI’s participation in various agritech expos and conferences has been a crucial avenue for outreach.
Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) launches latest video on farmer welfare & training programs
Farmers were given complete PPE safety kits comprising of head gear, goggles, face mask, gloves, apron and gum boots free of cost, a unique initiative much appreciated by the states and the farmers, after recording the details for creating data base, used for sending messages during the season
Our mascot with the message “Jagrat Kisan, khushhal kisan” on our T-shirt added the branding part. Our members have been sponsoring these with their logos for easy recall and publicity. No other associations or corporate has distributed free of cost over 1.25 lacs kit in the last 2-3 years including the effort during Locust attack where CCFI members made available 25,000 litres of approved molecules to control infestations.
CCFI participated in workshops to create awareness for the safe and judicious use of pesticides are attended by hundreds of farmers.
CCFI also believes in recognising feats of excellence in the agrochemical industry. The video includes Shri. Rajnikant Devidas Shroff being conferred by the Hon’ble President Shri. Ram Nath Kovind with one of India’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Bhushan. CCFI felicitated this incredible achievement by organising an industry get-together in which prominent industry stalwarts were present.
Mr Deepak Shah, Chairman, CCFI and Rajesh Aggarwal, Vice Chairman, CCFI lauded the achievements of Rajju Shroff, founder of UPL Ltd. a global provider of sustainable agriculture products and integrated solutions.
CCFI moving forward with newer forms of outreach, reached Guntur in Andhra Pradesh and ventured into a Skill Training Project at the Ujjawala Home. This project focused on Skill development for destitute women from farming families. Mr. Arun Kumar, IAS, Secretary Administration & APUPSC and the new Agriculture Commissioner Mr. Hari Kiran, IAS graced the inauguration function.
The participants were presented with an Automatic Electric Sewing Machines for commercial use as a revenue model along with two trainers to impart training for two months.
The visit was rounded out by a cultural program, a demonstration of extracting coconut oil, making idli batter and block printing by the Ujjwala Home inmates.
In coming out of unprecedented times, the Crop Care Federation of India has shown that not only is it committed to its mission in times of security but also in times of peril. Despite the pandemic, both Ms. Nirmala Pathrawal ED & I continued to travel around the country from event to event enriching agriculture, industry, trade, commerce, and most importantly, peoples lives.
