CNH Industrial and ICAR-CITH Collaborate to Modernize Apple Harvesting in India

The collaboration between CNH Industrial and ICAR-CITH signifies an effort to boost the Indian agricultural sector towards sustainable and technologically advanced practices.

CNH Industrial, a global leader in farm equipment manufacturing, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (ICAR-CITH) in Srinagar.

CNH Industrial is renowned for its expertise in agricultural machinery, including tractors, combines, and grape harvesters. ICAR-CITH is a prestigious research institute in India, specializing in temperate horticulture.

The collaboration aims to elevate the mechanization of fruit harvesting, with a specific emphasis on apples, by incorporating cutting-edge techniques. The objective is to develop innovative solutions that effectively address the unique agricultural challenges in India, as highlighted in a statement from CNH.

According to the terms of the MoU, CNH Industrial will be responsible for overseeing the design and development phases of the harvesting process. The company will provide prototypes for field testing and will implement enhancements based on the results and insights gathered during these trials.

Garv Modwel, Group Leader of Advanced Technology and Innovation at CNH India Technology Center, expressed the strategic intent to drive the latest innovation in horticulture. The partnership with ICAR-CITH aims to use knowledge and expertise to significantly enhance agricultural efficiency and productivity, ultimately benefiting farmers and the broader agriculture community.

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M.K. Verma, Director of ICAR - CITH Srinagar, highlighted the anticipation of collaborating with CNH to bring technological advancements to the Indian horticultural sector. The project presents an opportunity for experts to leverage their experience in developing solutions that will reshape the future of fruit harvesting in India.

The collaboration between CNH Industrial and ICAR-CITH signifies an effort to boost the Indian agricultural sector towards sustainable and technologically advanced practices. By focusing on the mechanization of fruit harvesting, the partners aim to contribute significantly to the growth and modernization of India's horticultural landscape.

ICAR-CITH will assist in image collection as well as logistics and operational concerns. The institute will analyze field test data, assessing picking efficiency, post-harvest losses, and the impact on fruit quality.

By joining forces with ICAR-CITH and CNH Industrial aims to transform apple harvesting in India, benefiting both farmers and consumers.