Training Program On “Power Tiller Operation And Maintenance”
Training Program On “Power Tiller Operation And Maintenance”
A training program on “ Power tiller operation and maintenance” under Tribal Sub plan funded project on “Agricultural Mechanization Program for Small and Marginal Tribal Farmers of Goa” was conducted on June 21, 2014 at research farm of ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Ela, Old Goa by Dr. Mathala Juliet Gupta, Principal Investigator of the project. A total of 42 farmers ( 29 men and 13 women) who were from 18 Farmers /Self Help groups from 18 wado belonging to Cotigaon, Gaodongrim, Karvem and Barddem of Canacona taluka and Morpirla, Dabem, and Karvem of Quepem Taluka participated in the same.
In the morning session of the training, Mr. Talbert Frank of Ms. Goa Tractors Tillers Agencies gave a lecture on Power tiller and its various attachments, applications, servicing, common mistakes made by farmers during use and its servicing. He stressed the importance of log book maintenance and timely servicing of the power tillers to avoid misuse and wear and tear. He also reiterated that the efforts of ICAR Research Complex Goa should be highly appreciated by the farmers by putting in proper efforts like cleaning and keeping the machines provided in proper sheds for proper maintenance.
This was followed by hands on training by Mr Sagar of Ms. Goa Tractors Tillers Agencies to start the machine, fit the various fittings and accessories like changing lugged wheels to Cage wheels, how to check oil level of engine, regularly check and clean the carburetor –change the oil, how to change gears, apply brake etc. with the power tiller and mini rotary tiller. The farmers were then asked to show step by step how they would do all the things taught to them, They were also shown how to clean the machine after using.
The farmers were then individually taught to use the power tiller for ploughing and puddling operations in the wetlands at the research farm of the ICAR Research Complex for Goa. All the women farmers too individually were given hands-on training to use the power tiller in the field and motivated to overcome their fear and inhibition to use the power tiller by Dr. Mathala Juliet Gupta, training coordinator and principal investigator of the project. The women entered the wetlands and thoroughly enjoyed the use of power tillers and puddled the wetlands completely. They felt much empowered by the whole experience.
All the participants were then trained to use the mini rotary tillers and preparing the field for vegetable cultivation using the same. The participants acknowledged the usefulness of the training and expressed that they felt most competent to use the power tiller and mini rotary tillers for land preparation, tilling and puddling.