TNAU Signs MoU with VST Tillers Tractors to Promote Small Farm Mechanization in Tamil Nadu
Coimbatore, 14 August 2025: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with VST Tillers Tractors Ltd., a leading manufacturer of compact agricultural machinery in India, to promote greater awareness and training on small farm mechanization across Tamil Nadu.
This strategic collaboration aims to develop small farm machinery along with advanced technological, agronomic, and educational solutions to support sustainable food production locally and globally.
The MoU focuses on key areas including frontier research in the area of small farm machinery, Training students in the latest innovations and modern farm technologies, creating awareness among both students and farmers on small farm mechanization, testing and evaluating VST’s farm machinery under local conditions, supporting students on future research on technological evolutions, providing project opportunities for TNAU students in the area of farm mechanization, offering internships for TNAU students with VST Tillers Tractors Ltd for on ground contribution.
Antony Cherukara, CEO, VST Tillers Tractors Ltd. and Dr. R.Thamizh Vendan, Registrar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University signed and exchanged the MOU in presence of Dr. A Raviraj, Dean, Agriculture Engineering College and Research Institute, TNAU; Dr. R Tyagarajan, Associate Professor, Department of Farm Machinery; Dr. R Kavitha, Professor and Raja Chidambaram, DGM, SFM, VST Tillers Tractors.
Speaking at the MoU signing, representatives from TNAU and VST emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical agricultural solutions, especially in the context of small and marginal farmers.
According to Mr. Antony Cherukara, CEO, VST Tillers Tractors Ltd “we are delighted to collaborate with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, a premier institution in agricultural education and research. “This MoU aligns with our vision to empower small and marginal farmers through innovative research and affordable mechanization solutions. By working closely with TNAU’s faculties and talented students, we aim to develop practical, field-ready technologies that can transform agricultural practices and improve farmer livelihoods across the state. Through this collaboration, talented university students will also have the opportunity to engage at our upcoming Global Technology Development Centre in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, to develop cost-efficient, benchmark solutions that blend innovative technology with the needs of India’s small and marginal farmers.
Dr. R.Thamizh Vendan, Registrar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) said “this partnership with VST Tillers Tractors Ltd. marks a significant step towards enhancing the practical exposure of our students and bridging the gap between research and real-world application. Through this collaboration, we aim to bring the benefits of small farm mechanization to the grassroots level, ensuring that farmers across Tamil Nadu can access and adopt modern, efficient farming technologies.”
Dr. A Raviraj, Dean, Agriculture Engineering College and Research Institute, TNAU, said “This collaboration is expected to empower the next generation of agri-tech professionals and enhance productivity through farm mechanization suited to the diverse agricultural landscape of Tamil Nadu”.