Syngenta to train 10,000 Vidarbha farmers to become Spraymen Entrepreneurs

Yavatmal, July 1.2019: Vidarbha region of Maharashtra has been experiencing severe drought conditions & loss of crop produce due to delayed onset of monsoon, with likelihood of tragic instances of farmers being affected by unsafe use of agro chemicals. Pursuing its commitment for farmers health and safety, and to prevent any chance of farmers having to suffer casualties due to such conditions, Syngenta India aims to train over 10, 000 farmers in Yavatmal district on health & safety through its I-SAFE Programme.

An inaugural event on “Farmer Health, Hygiene and Safety Programme” was organized by Syngenta in association with Department of Agriculture and Yavatmal District Administration at Zilla Parishad Hall on the occasion of Maharashtra Agriculture Day 2019. The programme aims to train more than 10,000 farmers in the district to become spraymen entrepreneurs.

Dr K C Ravi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Syngenta said, “As part of our I-SAFE (Inculcating Safety Awareness for Farmer Empowerment) programme under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), we are privileged to collaborate with the Maharashtra State Government – Department of Agriculture and Yavatmal District Administration and NGOs, to impart grass root training on health, hygiene & safe use practice for farmers. Provide basic health services through mobile health clinics; collaborate & train medical fraternity on managing pesticide exposure. With our commitment to encouraging safe and responsible use of crop protection products which in turn helps protect farmers’ health and promote sustainable agriculture, Syngenta India Ltd has been assigned Yavatmal and Satara Districts by the Commissionerate of Agriculture, Maharashtra for conducting Farmer Health and Safety Programmes for the year 2019-20. 5000 PPE kits were given to the farm labourers by Syngenta officials. To further intensify the project, Syngenta plans to organize district level programs on Farmer Health and Safety and Train Doctors on Recognition and Treatment of Pesticide Exposure.”

During the event, District Collector Mr Ajay Gulhane, IAS handed over the certificates to the spraymen who have successfully undergone training on spraying, conducted by the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra. In its effort to create a force of Spraymen Entrepreneurs, Spray Pumps and Private Protection Equipment (PPE) kits were also distributed to the spraymen and the growers and, awareness on effective usage were demonstrated to them by the Syngenta Officials. The concept of Spraymen Entrepreneurship is intended to provide guidance to farmers on spraying techniques of agro chemicals for optimum results without compromising on safety & preventing overuse.

Dr K C Ravi further added, “as part of our stewardship activity, we train growers and farm labourers around the world to use our products safely and effectively to minimize environmental impacts and adverse health incidents. Syngenta India actively partners and collaborates with government on projects and with NGOs to support and promote the health and safety of farmers. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities.”

Syngenta had carried out a similar activity in Yavatmal District during 2017-18 wherein around 12,000 farmers were trained through nearly 256 training sessions in 173 villages in the district with campaigns on Personal Health, Hygiene and Safe Use across Government Extension offices as well as Block development offices. With support from Yavatmal District Administration, District Medical and Health Department and, Dr V V Pillay, a renowned Toxicologist of India, Syngenta conducted six Doctors Training Programmes for Doctors in Ghatanji and Arni Tehsils of Yavatmal and Amravati in which 187 Doctors had been benefited. Further more, Syngenta, in association with Wockardt, has been operating a Mobile Health Clinic in Yavatmal District since November 2017 covering more than 35000 patients in over 100 villages. 

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Media Contact:
Javed Rahmatullah, Senior Communications Manager
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