TAFE Announces Free Tractor Rental Scheme to Support Small Farmers of Tamil Nadu as COVID Relief

Chennai: TAFE – Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, the world’s third largest tractor manufacturer and a member of the Amalgamations Group, in a continuing effort to support the Government amidst the second wave of the COVID surge, announced its ‘Free Tractor Rental’ scheme to support small farmers of Tamil Nadu during this critical cropping season. This Free Tractor Rental scheme is in addition to its earlier contribution of oxygen concentrators, procurement of oxygen cylinders and support to the planned mass immunisation program. The total outlay towards all of TAFE’s contributions to COVID relief is Rs.15 Crores.

The free tractor rental scheme would cover approximately 1,20,000 acres and will benefit around 50,000 farmers. It will be available from May 2021 through July 2021 across Tamil Nadu. TAFE will offer its 16,500 Massey Ferguson and Eicher Tractors, and 26,800 implements on a “free-of-cost” rental basis to small farmers owning 2 acres or less. Farmers can rent or hire tractors or farm implements using TAFE’s digital platform on the Tamil Nadu Government’s Uzhavan app or the toll-free helpline 1800-4200-100. The scheme will be implemented with the support of the Agriculture Department of Tamil Nadu and their district officials.

TAFE’s Chairman and Managing Director – Mallika Srinivasan said, “With the encouragement and support of the Tamil Nadu Government, TAFE is happy to offer free-of-cost rental services to the small and marginal farmers of Tamil Nadu. TAFE will offer its Massey Ferguson and Eicher Tractors along with farm implements to support the small and marginal farmers through this critical time and crucial cropping season. We thank the Hon’ble Chief Minister for his focus on farmer welfare and the Hon’ble Agricultural Minister, for their support towards the Free Tractor Rental scheme.”