Bihar Agricultural University Opens State-Approved Farm Machinery Testing Centre to Aid Farmers

Bhagalpur: Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, has launched a state-of-the-art Farm Machinery Testing Centre, officially approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The facility is set to transform the agricultural landscape of Bihar, offering farmers local access to testing services for a wide range of machinery, including tractor-driven, power-tiller-driven, hand-operated, and animal-drawn equipment.

The centre, housed within BAU’s Agricultural Engineering Department, aims to ensure the quality, reliability, and compliance of agricultural machinery with government standards. Farmers in Bihar will now avoid the inconvenience of traveling to distant testing centres, marking a significant step forward in the state’s agricultural development.

BAU Vice-Chancellor Dr D.R. Singh highlighted the centre’s impact: “This is a transformational step for the farmers of Bihar. Through this centre, we aim to provide them easy access to high-quality machinery and boost agricultural productivity through reliable and tested equipment. This development reflects our commitment to encourage agricultural innovation and support farmers in the region.”

The centre will operate under strict guidelines to ensure transparency and efficiency. In-house calibration of testing equipment, regular progress reviews, and detailed reports to the central government will be standard practices. Additionally, staff members will receive advanced training at renowned institutions, including the Northern Region Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (Hisar) and North Eastern Region Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (Assam), to enhance the centre’s technical expertise.

Farmers will benefit from affordable testing fees based on the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) guidelines. BAU’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Rajesh Kumar, described the initiative as a milestone: “The Farm Machinery Testing Centre at BAU will not only serve the farmers of Bihar but will also position the university as a hub for agricultural mechanization and innovation. This initiative will strengthen the agricultural ecosystem and contribute to the state’s growth.”

Dr Anil Kumar Singh, Director of Research at BAU, added: “This centre reflects BAU’s leadership in promoting agricultural innovation. It will not only assist farmers but also support cutting-edge research to ensure agricultural machinery aligns with evolving needs.”

The centre’s establishment aligns with the central government’s vision of promoting self-reliance and innovation in agriculture, reinforcing BAU’s role as a key player in agricultural education, research, and extension.

A dedicated team has been formed to manage the centre’s operations. The team includes Dr Sanoj Kumar, Principal Investigator of the Farm Machinery Testing Initiative, along with Test Engineer Dr Pankaj Kumar and co-investigators Dr Brijesh Kumar and Dr Kumar Satya Prakash. Their expertise will ensure the centre meets the needs of Bihar’s agricultural community.