HT Correspondent
NAGAON, May 2: Continuing the tradition, the NABARD Assam in collaboration with IFFCO Kisan Suvidha Ltd. (IKSL) has initiated a unique project titled ‘Climate Resilient Tea Cultivation and AI Based Pest Management’ for small tea growers.
The beneficiaries of this pilot project will be the 64 small tea growers of the Sewjjyoti Tea Federation located at Chapanala in Barhampur in Nagaon district.
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As part of its developmental initiative and to disseminate the utility of artificial intelligence (AI) as well as other technological advancements in agri-horticulture sector, NABARD has been implementing various pilot projects across the country.
In this connection, an interactive awareness cum sensitisation meet with the small tea growers was organised here recently.
During the meet, Suraj Kr Sinha from the agriculture business services wing of IKSL made a detailed presentation regarding the utility of various equipment like automated wireless weather station, soil moisture sensors, smart ravager, pest vision with image recognition, etc. These would be installed in the fields of beneficiaries. He informed the participants that the geo-fencing of the farm lands of all the 64 small tea growers would be undertaken in the pilot project so that they can receive voice message at regular intervals based on the satellite imagery of the fields, the tea leaves, soil moisture, weather conditions etc. He also informed the participants that it would a first of its kind pilot project across India.
Hence, based on the outcome and success of the project, NABARD and IKSL will consider to replicate the model in different parts of the state as well as other parts of the country.
Speaking on the occasion, DDM-NABARD Rajendar Perna said, “NABARD has been supporting the implementation of similar projects like integrated watershed development with climate proofing interventions (IWDCPIs), integrated tribal development programmes (ITDPs), UPNRM and climate change projects, etc across India.”
“As a result of intensive discussions over months, NABARD and IKSL will collaborate to implement this first pilot project for the small tea growers of the Sewjjyoti Tea Federation. They will be provided extensive training throughout the implementation period of 24 months on topics like climate resilient tea cultivation, AI based pest management, processing, packaging, branding, marketing etc under the pilot. An expert will be exclusively available in the project area for their continuous guidance. In 2023 NABARD was instrumental in working out and announcing the scale of finance for their WC,” Perna added.
The secretary of Sewjjyoti Tea Federation – Sanjeeb Bora delivered the vote of thanks and expressed his sincere gratitude to NABARD and IKSL for sanctioning the pilot project for the development and betterment of the small tea growers. Assuring complete support from the Federation, he expressed his feelings saying that the project would be a game changer in their lives and would help in regaining the past glory of the state’s tea industry.
