University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bengaluru, has now partnered VST Tillers Tractors to embark on farm mechanisation skill development. The objective is ensure the use of advanced implements on farm to spur efficiency, save time and ensure crop productivity.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was inked by UAS and VST to set up a Centre of Excellence to impart structured training to students and farmers. It would also provide hands on skills to unskilled technicians in the operation, maintenance and usage of various agricultural machinery and equipment from land preparation to harvesting. The move, according to both UAS and VST, would promote gainful rural employment.

The two organisations are expected to work with the National Skill Development Corporation to make the Centre of Excellence a unique model in private-public participation.

Further, the collaboration of UAS and VST would enable standardisation of various attachments such as seed drills, planters, sprayers, weeders, harvest operations by mini-tractors, power tillers, etc. Efforts to explore different options to use equipment like stationary units like chaff cutters, shredders, threshing and other post-harvest machinery for different farm operations are on the cards. 

The Centre of Excellence will display different horse power range engines, power tillers and mini tractors. The demonstration of cut section models of engines and tractors help in the dissemination of knowledge and technology to the students, farmers and the visitors coming to UAS-B. The promotion of farm mechanization through this centre will help reduce the drudgery of women farmers, thus promoting gender equality in agriculture. 

VST is the largest manufacturers of power tillers in India and also into compact tractors, reapers, transplanters and other agricultural equipment. In the past several decades, the Bengaluru-based company worked with students to provide them the much-needed  exposure, training development and certification of agricultural machinery and equipment. 

The University has the responsibility to undertake teaching, research and extension in agricultural and other allied sciences. The extension of such sciences to the rural people of the state and imparting education in different branches of agricultural engineering is also a regular activity. 

To establish the Centre of Excellence, UAS has provided the required space and VST has contributed to build the infrastructure for training and development. The Centre of Excellence, located near Agriculture Engineering College, was inaugurated by S Rajendra Prasad, vice-chancellor, UAS-B. V P Mahendra, vice-chairman and managing director,  VST Tillers Tractors, was the chief guest. Also present was G N Nagaraj, dean (agri), College of Agriculture Bengaluru.