TAFE offers free tractor rental for small farmers of Tamil Nadu during COVID-19

April 02, 2020 | Chennai: In an attempt to mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus threat on small and marginal farmers of TamilNadu and to support the farming community during a crucial cropping season, TAFE,under its CSR initiative,announced a free tractor rental scheme through its JFarm Services platform on the Uzhavan App, for a duration of 90 days starting April 1, 2020. This scheme will be available across 30 districts of TamilNadu.

TAFE, towards this initiative has brought together a large group of its Massey Ferguson and Eicher tractors and will offer over 4,400 tractors and 10,500 implements on a free of cost rental basis. The renters hiring out Massey Ferguson, Eicher Tractors and implements will be paid directly by the company.

TAFE is well equipped to handle all the operational aspects of implementing the scheme across the State using its existing JFarm Services digital platform on the Uzhavan app, toll-free helpline 1800-4200-100, as well as various on-ground touchpoints like its field officers, dealer network etc. across the state, who are already working closely with the farming community of Tamil Nadu.

TAFE’s Chairman and Managing Director - Mallika Srinivasan said, “The rabi season is crucial to sustain the livelihoods of the farmers of Tamil Nadu. At this crucial juncture,TAFE seeks to do its best to support the small and marginal farmers of the state to tide over the crisis caused by COVID-19 by offering free rental services of Massey Ferguson and Eicher tractors. We commend the Tamil Nadu Government and its administration for their extraordinary efforts in ensuringthe effective deployment of all health and administrative initiatives to support all sections of society”.

Speaking in this connection, Thiru. Gagandeep Singh Bedi (IAS), Agriculture Production Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “My compliments to Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE) for coming out with the free of cost tractor rental offer to support the small and marginal farmers of Tamil Nadu during this cropping season, especially at this time of distress due to COVID-19. The Government of Tamil Nadu welcomes this timely initiative and is happy to partner with TAFE as this will be of immense help to several needy farmers in the State”.

TAFE has requested the advisory and administrative support of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu, and the district level officials to ensure small and marginal farmers are able to avail the offer in a timely manner.

About 'JFarm' and 'JFarm Services': JFarmServices.in

TAFE established JFarm India in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in 1964 with an objective of empowering farmers with advanced farm technologies to increase farm productivity and meet India’s growing food demands. Over the years, JFarm focuses on sustainable agriculture, adapting existing technologies in farming for local farming conditions and sharing this knowledge with farmers.

JFarm Services is an initiative by TAFE to increase easy access to farm mechanization solutions through rental of tractors and farm equipment for small and large farms, latest mandi prices, agri-news alerts and advisory.

Small and marginal farmers, who hold about 85% of the land holdings in India may not be able to afford ownership of tractors or implements. JFarm Services bridges this gap by connecting these farmers with tractor and equipment owners through its Farmer-2-Farmer platform. Farmers can explore and book nearby equipment through:

JFarm Services since its creation has impacted the lives of about 800,000 farmers across 13 states in India since its inception. Currently, JFarm Services (JFS) operates in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Gujarat- making farm mechanization viable and affordable to all.