Precision Farming Development Centres (PFDCs) been established in India to promote "Precision Farming & Plasticulture Applications for high-tech horticulture" and located in State Agricultural Universities (SAUs); ICAR Institutes such as IARI, New Delhi; CIAE, Bhopal & CISH, Lucknow and IIT, Kharagpur. These centers have been operating as hub-centers of plasticulture and precision farming in respective states. NCPAH during the year 2008-09 established five new Precision Farming Development Centres located at Bhopal, Imphal, Leh, Ludhiana & Ranchi under the centrally sponsored scheme Micro Irrigation.
Mandate :
- To undertake trials and experiments on Plasticulture applications for the development of crop specific Plasticulture technologies.
- To provide technical input to the Sate Govt. in implementation of Micro Irrigation & National Horticulture Mission & related schemes.
- To demonstrate proven plasticulture technologies at PFDC and farmers' field.
- To transfer technologies through training & awareness programmes, participation in agricultural related events, print & satellite media.
- To develop literatures on plasticulture applications & precision farming practices, package of practices and other extension material etc.
- To establish Display Centre for depiction of plasticulture technologies, system components, audio & video units, literatures & related information.
- Survey of end users for impact evaluation & feedback.
