COIMBATORE: A total of 496 companies from different states and abroad are showcasing their farm technologies at the 24th edition of Agri Intex that commenced at the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex here on Thursday. The five-day event will conclude on July 13.Aimed at bringing the latest advancements in modern Indian agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming, poultry and food processing technologies under a single roof, the expo spans 150,000 square feet.Leading companies from various Indian states, including Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu and companies from Italy, Malaysia, Japan and the US are showcasing their innovations in 660 stalls. The expo features specialised zones dedicated to nurseries, livestock and live machinery demonstrations. A highlight of this year is the array of automation on display, including advanced drone sprayers, direct paddy-transplanting machines and automated harvesters that streamline farm labour from seeding to harvest.Beyond heavy machinery, visitors can explore and purchase high-quality seeds, organic fertilisers and saplings ranging from local fig trees to climate-adapted Shimla apple plants.XMatic Innovation’s FarmX 500 has drawn attention for its multipurpose capabilities. XMatic representative Sasi Kumar said, “FarmX 500 can handle load-carrying, spraying and stubble removal. It is built to help farmers manage multiple tasks with a single machine.” The electric version of the equipment offers practical advantages for daily farm activities. On a full charge, the machine can perform up to six hours. The equipment comes with a 4.8-kilowatt battery option, feasible choice for smaller farms.Ramasamy, a farmer from Salem district, said, “This exhibition at CODISSIA is useful for everyone. For full-time farmers, getting access to all the equipment and inputs we need under one roof is a massive advantage. Moreover, the younger generation interested in agriculture will find a wealth of information here. Every year, the footprint of this expo keeps growing, and with so many new automated advancements on display, farmers should definitely visit and benefit from it.”“For women like me who manage terrace gardens, this is a one-stop shop. We can buy high-quality vegetable seeds, decorative plants and saplings all in one place. While it is heavily beneficial for large-scale farmers, it’s equally great for home growers. In fact, I managed to purchase rare seeds like nei milagai (ghee chilli) and athalakkai (bitter cucumber), which are otherwise impossible to find in regular commercial shops,” said Kanjana of Sulur.
