(MENAFN-ForPressRelease) In the presence of Shri C.R. Patil, Hon. Minister of Jal Shakti, Government of India, the Ministry of Textiles, in partnership with the Synthetic & Art Silk Mills’ Research Association (SASMIRA), opened the Climate Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Centre in Navsari, Gujarat.
An important step towards encouraging the use of agro-textiles as game-changing solutions for India’s agriculture industry is this demonstration centre. These are intended to empower and educate farmers. They include hands-on training modules to assist in incorporating these innovations into regular agricultural methods, as well as live demonstrations of Agro-Textile products and their uses. Spread across 15,000 sq. meters, the center will be maintained by SASMIRA for three years, covering eight crop cycles. The facility includes live applications of Agro-Textile technologies such as Shade nets (par-perfect, photo-selective, and vertical farming applications), Medicinal nurseries, Vermicomposting under shade nets, Ground covers (natural and HDPE), Pond liners and crop covers.
In his inauguration speech, Shri C.R. Patil underlined the vital role that agro-textiles play in enhancing crop output, preserving resources, and facilitating sustainable farming. In order to improve agricultural results, he encouraged farmers to visit the demonstration centre and incorporate Agro-Textile technology into their operations.
The Ministry’s goal of moving India’s agricultural sector towards sustainable and creative solutions and promoting technical textiles through the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) is in line with this approach. IoT-based monitoring devices are installed at the demonstration centre to track conditions, crop output, and growing performance in real time. In order to educate farmers and stakeholders, the centre will also regularly organise authorised lectures.
The effort would have full state backing, according to Agriculture Cabinet Minister Shri Raghavjibhai Patel, who also recommended setting up talks with state governments to increase the use of agro-textiles. The vice chancellor of Navsari Agricultural University, Dr. Z.P. Patel, was excited about the demonstration center’s ability to close the knowledge gap between academics and practical farming by giving farmers the skills and resources they need to boost productivity while preserving resources. The Ministry of Textile’s Joint Secretary, Shri Rajeev Saxena, emphasised the Ministry’s dedication to promoting the use of technology textiles in agriculture.