A seven-day training programme on operation and maintenance of agricultural machinery organised by Agricultural Tools Research Centre (ATRC), Birgunj began here today.

The training programme, organised with an objective of enhancing the capabilities of farmers in running and maintaining agricultural machinery is being attended by 12 farmers including two women of six agricultural mechanisation groups of Parsa and Rupendehi districts.

The trainees will be provided with theoretical and practical knowledge of running and maintaining power tillers, paddy and wheat cutting machines, paddy and wheat sowing machines.

According to chief of ATRC, Ganesh Shaha, about 275 farmers of Parsa, Bara, Rautahat and Rupendehi district have cultivated wheat on 300 bighas of land this year by using the low cost tilling technology which saves two thirds of the cost of cultivation. “Production of wheat has increased by 34 per cent as a result of the low cost tilling technology in these districts,” Shaha added.

Shaha says agricultural mechanisation is absolutely necessary taking into consideration the shortage of agricultural workers and the increasing cost of basics of production such as seeds, fertilizers and water.

He says that the low cost agricultural mechanisation technology, which does not affect our social condition and natural resources, will help to improve the living conditions of the Nepali farmers.