Paradip: “The training centre aims to provide technical and practical training to farmers of Odisha and farmer organizations on crop production, the use of agricultural inputs and implements, and the use of new technology,’’ said Udaya Shankar Awasti, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) Managing Director while dedicating a training centre to the farmers of Odisha on Monday. The inauguration coincided with IFFCO’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Touted to be India’s first ever highly modernised farmer training centre, the centre operating from fertilizer factory premises of IFFCO at Paradip, has been facilitated with modern technology. The objective behind the initiative is imparting training to farmers to enhance farm yield and train them in add-on skills and organic farming for proper utilisation of land.

This apart, the farmers will be informed of the weather forecast, seasonal cropping patterns, and use of fertilizers through computers and digital medium like smart phones.

According to sources, farmers from Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts would be given training initially followed by other districts of the State.

The training will be imparted in the local language, stated Awasti.

In the days to come, the cooperative has plans to establish similar training centres for the local farmers in other states of the country.