Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 73
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Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 74
Cake\Controller\Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 610
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 94
Cake\Http\BaseApplication::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/BaseApplication.php, line 235
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\RoutingMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/RoutingMiddleware.php, line 162
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\AssetMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/AssetMiddleware.php, line 88
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Code Context
            if (Configure::read('debug')) {

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    <link rel="canonical" href="https://im4change.in/<pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67fe73b44d94a-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67fe73b44d94a-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined variable: urlPrefix [<b>APP/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp</b>, line <b>8</b>]<div id="cakeErr67fe73b44d94a-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67fe73b44d94a-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67fe73b44d94a-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67fe73b44d94a-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67fe73b44d94a-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr67fe73b44d94a-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"></span><span style="color: #007700">&lt;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">head</span><span style="color: #007700">&gt;
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		&#039;title&#039; =&gt; &#039;His business model for small farmers caught UN&amp;#039;s attention -Kamini Mehta&#039;,
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-The Times of India
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: &lt;/em&gt;What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &amp;quot;debt-free farmers.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN&#039;s Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &amp;quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &amp;quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Said Ahuja, &amp;quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say &#039;now you will rent autorickshaws as well&#039;. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &amp;quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&amp;quot; he added.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Vikram&#039;s Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations&#039; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;em&gt;(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;First Indian private sector entrepreneur&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Awards&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014
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-The Times of India



CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-The Times of India&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: &lt;/em&gt;What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &amp;quot;debt-free farmers.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&amp;quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN&#039;s Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &amp;quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&amp;quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &amp;quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Said Ahuja, &amp;quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say &#039;now you will rent autorickshaws as well&#039;. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &amp;quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&amp;quot; he added.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Vikram&#039;s Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations&#039; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;em&gt;First Indian private sector entrepreneur&lt;/em&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Awards&lt;/em&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014&lt;/p&gt;&#039;,
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	&#039;title&#039; =&gt; &#039;His business model for small farmers caught UN&amp;#039;s attention -Kamini Mehta&#039;,
	&#039;subheading&#039; =&gt; &#039;&#039;,
	&#039;description&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
-The Times of India
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: &lt;/em&gt;What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &amp;quot;debt-free farmers.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN&#039;s Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &amp;quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &amp;quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Said Ahuja, &amp;quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say &#039;now you will rent autorickshaws as well&#039;. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &amp;quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&amp;quot; he added.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Vikram&#039;s Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations&#039; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;em&gt;(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;First Indian private sector entrepreneur&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Awards&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014
&lt;/p&gt;&#039;,
	&#039;credit_writer&#039; =&gt; &#039;The Times of India, 24 September, 2014, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Chandigarh/His-business-model-for-small-farmers-caught-UNs-attention/articleshow/43277570.cms&#039;,
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-The Times of India



CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model...&#039;
$disp = &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-The Times of India&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: &lt;/em&gt;What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &amp;quot;debt-free farmers.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&amp;quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN&#039;s Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &amp;quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&amp;quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &amp;quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Said Ahuja, &amp;quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say &#039;now you will rent autorickshaws as well&#039;. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &amp;quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&amp;quot; he added.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Vikram&#039;s Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations&#039; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;em&gt;First Indian private sector entrepreneur&lt;/em&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Awards&lt;/em&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014&lt;/p&gt;&#039;
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CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model..."/>
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                <strong>His business model for small farmers caught UN&#039;s attention -Kamini Mehta</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-The Times of India</div><p align="justify"><br /><em>CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: </em>What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.</p><p align="justify">The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &quot;debt-free farmers.&quot;</p><p align="justify">&quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&quot; said Ahuja.</p><p align="justify">Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN's Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&quot;</p><p align="justify">After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.</p><p align="justify">&quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&quot; said Ahuja.</p><p align="justify">Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&quot;</p><p align="justify">Said Ahuja, &quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say 'now you will rent autorickshaws as well'. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&quot;</p><p align="justify">There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&quot; he added.</p><p align="justify">Vikram's Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.</p><p align="justify">The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.</p><p align="justify">Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.</p><p align="justify"><em>(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)</em></p><em>First Indian private sector entrepreneur</em><p align="justify">While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).</p><em>Awards</em><p align="justify">Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009</p><p align="justify">Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014</p>               </font>
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-The Times of India
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: &lt;/em&gt;What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &amp;quot;debt-free farmers.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN&#039;s Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &amp;quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &amp;quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Said Ahuja, &amp;quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say &#039;now you will rent autorickshaws as well&#039;. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &amp;quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&amp;quot; he added.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Vikram&#039;s Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations&#039; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;em&gt;(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;First Indian private sector entrepreneur&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Awards&lt;/em&gt;
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Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009
&lt;/p&gt;
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Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014
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-The Times of India



CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-The Times of India&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: &lt;/em&gt;What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &amp;quot;debt-free farmers.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&amp;quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN&#039;s Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &amp;quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&amp;quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &amp;quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Said Ahuja, &amp;quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say &#039;now you will rent autorickshaws as well&#039;. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &amp;quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&amp;quot; he added.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Vikram&#039;s Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations&#039; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;em&gt;First Indian private sector entrepreneur&lt;/em&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Awards&lt;/em&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014&lt;/p&gt;&#039;,
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	&#039;id&#039; =&gt; (int) 26022,
	&#039;title&#039; =&gt; &#039;His business model for small farmers caught UN&amp;#039;s attention -Kamini Mehta&#039;,
	&#039;subheading&#039; =&gt; &#039;&#039;,
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-The Times of India
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: &lt;/em&gt;What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &amp;quot;debt-free farmers.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN&#039;s Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &amp;quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &amp;quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Said Ahuja, &amp;quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say &#039;now you will rent autorickshaws as well&#039;. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &amp;quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&amp;quot; he added.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Vikram&#039;s Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations&#039; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;em&gt;(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;First Indian private sector entrepreneur&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Awards&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014
&lt;/p&gt;&#039;,
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CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model...&#039;
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-The Times of India



CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model..."/>
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                <strong>His business model for small farmers caught UN&#039;s attention -Kamini Mehta</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-The Times of India</div><p align="justify"><br /><em>CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: </em>What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.</p><p align="justify">The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &quot;debt-free farmers.&quot;</p><p align="justify">&quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&quot; said Ahuja.</p><p align="justify">Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN's Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&quot;</p><p align="justify">After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.</p><p align="justify">&quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&quot; said Ahuja.</p><p align="justify">Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&quot;</p><p align="justify">Said Ahuja, &quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say 'now you will rent autorickshaws as well'. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&quot;</p><p align="justify">There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&quot; he added.</p><p align="justify">Vikram's Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.</p><p align="justify">The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.</p><p align="justify">Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.</p><p align="justify"><em>(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)</em></p><em>First Indian private sector entrepreneur</em><p align="justify">While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).</p><em>Awards</em><p align="justify">Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009</p><p align="justify">Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014</p>               </font>
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-The Times of India
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: &lt;/em&gt;What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &amp;quot;debt-free farmers.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN&#039;s Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &amp;quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
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After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &amp;quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Said Ahuja, &amp;quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say &#039;now you will rent autorickshaws as well&#039;. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &amp;quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&amp;quot; he added.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Vikram&#039;s Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations&#039; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.
&lt;/p&gt;
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&lt;em&gt;(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;First Indian private sector entrepreneur&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Awards&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009
&lt;/p&gt;
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Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014
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CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-The Times of India&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: &lt;/em&gt;What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &amp;quot;debt-free farmers.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&amp;quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN&#039;s Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &amp;quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&amp;quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &amp;quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Said Ahuja, &amp;quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say &#039;now you will rent autorickshaws as well&#039;. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &amp;quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&amp;quot; he added.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Vikram&#039;s Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. 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	&#039;title&#039; =&gt; &#039;His business model for small farmers caught UN&amp;#039;s attention -Kamini Mehta&#039;,
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	&#039;description&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
-The Times of India
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: &lt;/em&gt;What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &amp;quot;debt-free farmers.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN&#039;s Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &amp;quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &amp;quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Said Ahuja, &amp;quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say &#039;now you will rent autorickshaws as well&#039;. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&amp;quot;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &amp;quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&amp;quot; he added.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Vikram&#039;s Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations&#039; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;em&gt;(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;First Indian private sector entrepreneur&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Awards&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014
&lt;/p&gt;&#039;,
	&#039;credit_writer&#039; =&gt; &#039;The Times of India, 24 September, 2014, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Chandigarh/His-business-model-for-small-farmers-caught-UNs-attention/articleshow/43277570.cms&#039;,
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-The Times of India



CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model...&#039;
$disp = &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-The Times of India&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: &lt;/em&gt;What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &amp;quot;debt-free farmers.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&amp;quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN&#039;s Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &amp;quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&amp;quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&amp;quot; said Ahuja.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &amp;quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Said Ahuja, &amp;quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say &#039;now you will rent autorickshaws as well&#039;. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &amp;quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&amp;quot; he added.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Vikram&#039;s Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations&#039; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;em&gt;First Indian private sector entrepreneur&lt;/em&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Awards&lt;/em&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014&lt;/p&gt;&#039;
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                <strong>His business model for small farmers caught UN&#039;s attention -Kamini Mehta</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-The Times of India</div><p align="justify"><br /><em>CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: </em>What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.</p><p align="justify">The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &quot;debt-free farmers.&quot;</p><p align="justify">&quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&quot; said Ahuja.</p><p align="justify">Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN's Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&quot;</p><p align="justify">After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.</p><p align="justify">&quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&quot; said Ahuja.</p><p align="justify">Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&quot;</p><p align="justify">Said Ahuja, &quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say 'now you will rent autorickshaws as well'. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&quot;</p><p align="justify">There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&quot; he added.</p><p align="justify">Vikram's Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.</p><p align="justify">The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.</p><p align="justify">Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.</p><p align="justify"><em>(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)</em></p><em>First Indian private sector entrepreneur</em><p align="justify">While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).</p><em>Awards</em><p align="justify">Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009</p><p align="justify">Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014</p>               </font>
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-The Times of India
</div>
<p align="justify">
<br />
<em>CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: </em>What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.
</p>
<p align="justify">
The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &quot;debt-free farmers.&quot;
</p>
<p align="justify">
&quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&quot; said Ahuja.
</p>
<p align="justify">
Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN's Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&quot;
</p>
<p align="justify">
After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.
</p>
<p align="justify">
&quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&quot; said Ahuja.
</p>
<p align="justify">
Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&quot;
</p>
<p align="justify">
Said Ahuja, &quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say 'now you will rent autorickshaws as well'. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&quot;
</p>
<p align="justify">
There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&quot; he added.
</p>
<p align="justify">
Vikram's Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.
</p>
<p align="justify">
The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.
</p>
<p align="justify">
Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.
</p>
<p align="justify">
<em>(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)</em>
</p>
<em>First Indian private sector entrepreneur</em>
<p align="justify">
While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
</p>
<em>Awards</em>
<p align="justify">
Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009
</p>
<p align="justify">
Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014
</p>',
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-The Times of India



CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model...',
	'disp' => '<div align="justify">-The Times of India</div><p align="justify"><br /><em>CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: </em>What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.</p><p align="justify">The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &quot;debt-free farmers.&quot;</p><p align="justify">&quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&quot; said Ahuja.</p><p align="justify">Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN's Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&quot;</p><p align="justify">After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.</p><p align="justify">&quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&quot; said Ahuja.</p><p align="justify">Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&quot;</p><p align="justify">Said Ahuja, &quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say 'now you will rent autorickshaws as well'. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&quot;</p><p align="justify">There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&quot; he added.</p><p align="justify">Vikram's Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.</p><p align="justify">The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.</p><p align="justify">Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.</p><p align="justify"><em>(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)</em></p><em>First Indian private sector entrepreneur</em><p align="justify">While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).</p><em>Awards</em><p align="justify">Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009</p><p align="justify">Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014</p>',
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	'title' => 'His business model for small farmers caught UN&#039;s attention -Kamini Mehta',
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-The Times of India
</div>
<p align="justify">
<br />
<em>CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: </em>What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.
</p>
<p align="justify">
The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &quot;debt-free farmers.&quot;
</p>
<p align="justify">
&quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&quot; said Ahuja.
</p>
<p align="justify">
Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN's Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&quot;
</p>
<p align="justify">
After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.
</p>
<p align="justify">
&quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&quot; said Ahuja.
</p>
<p align="justify">
Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&quot;
</p>
<p align="justify">
Said Ahuja, &quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say 'now you will rent autorickshaws as well'. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&quot;
</p>
<p align="justify">
There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&quot; he added.
</p>
<p align="justify">
Vikram's Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.
</p>
<p align="justify">
The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.
</p>
<p align="justify">
Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.
</p>
<p align="justify">
<em>(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)</em>
</p>
<em>First Indian private sector entrepreneur</em>
<p align="justify">
While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
</p>
<em>Awards</em>
<p align="justify">
Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009
</p>
<p align="justify">
Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014
</p>',
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-The Times of India



CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model...'
$disp = '<div align="justify">-The Times of India</div><p align="justify"><br /><em>CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: </em>What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world.</p><p align="justify">The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only &quot;debt-free farmers.&quot;</p><p align="justify">&quot;Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent,&quot; said Ahuja.</p><p align="justify">Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN's Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was &quot;Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery.&quot;</p><p align="justify">After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward.</p><p align="justify">&quot;We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world,&quot; said Ahuja.</p><p align="justify">Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, &quot;The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements.&quot;</p><p align="justify">Said Ahuja, &quot;Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say 'now you will rent autorickshaws as well'. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford.&quot;</p><p align="justify">There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. &quot;For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices,&quot; he added.</p><p align="justify">Vikram's Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said.</p><p align="justify">The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014.</p><p align="justify">Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference.</p><p align="justify"><em>(Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma)</em></p><em>First Indian private sector entrepreneur</em><p align="justify">While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).</p><em>Awards</em><p align="justify">Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009</p><p align="justify">Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014</p>'
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His business model for small farmers caught UN's attention -Kamini Mehta

-The Times of India CHANDIGARH/FAZILKA: What was a laughing stock when started 12 years ago is today all set to become a part of the policy the United Nations plan to make for the world. A business model -- Library Model and Radio Taxi Model -- for enabling small and marginal farmers to hire equipment for farm operations at affordable prices was recently showcased in an event of UN in Indonesia earlier this month. UN is now planning to frame a policy based on it for the entire world. The models were the brainchild of Fazilka-based entrepreneur-cum-farmer Vikram Aditya Ahuja, who started Zamindara Farmsolutions in order to rent out high-priced farm equipment to farmers at affordable prices. Through this, he aimed at keeping small scale farmers motivated by helping them yield good crops with the help of high-tech farm equipment. Also, it was a step towards his dream to see around him only "debt-free farmers." "Smaller peasants are the worst hit in Punjab, which is the breadbasket of the country. They are forced to spend huge amounts of money on buying implements despite having meagre landholdings, which puts a huge financial burden on them. Most of them are unable to pay off the debt as their earnings are not enough due to smaller land holdings. To help such farmers, we formed a company that provides implements like tractors, harrows, JCBs (excavators), rotovators, seed sowers, harvesters, fodder choppers and many more on nominal rent," said Ahuja. Ahuja was invited for the conference of UN's Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) at Sarpong in Indonesia which was held from September 9 to 11. The theme of the conference was "Enabling environment for custom hiring of agricultural machinery." After coming to know what UN agricultural experts were trying to achieve at the conference is already in practice in Punjab by Vikram, he was made part of the core group to formulate discussions on how custom hiring of agricultural machinery could be popularized and taken forward. "We always hoped that this model will be emulated across Punjab but now, hopefully, somewhat similar models will be launched by the UN which will be commonly followed in the entire world," said Ahuja. Talking about the models he has developed, which were discussed in UN Conference as well, he said, "The library model is where the farmer knows how to operate the equipment that he is renting for use. The radio taxi model is where the farmer does not know how to use the equipment and an operator is sent by us to run the equipment on the farm as per requirements." Said Ahuja, "Initially, my friends used to laugh at me and say 'now you will rent autorickshaws as well'. But paying no heed, I carried on with my project and today, I can proudly say that we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of farmers. I have given employment to nearly 800 small scale farmers and boys from economically weaker backgrounds directly or indirectly. Nearly 10,000 to 15,000 farmers have benefited though rental scheme and we helped farmers yield good crop and profits by renting out costly farm equipment, which they could not afford." There are equipment worth lakhs of rupees, but are needed once in five years or for six hours a year, Ahuja said. "For a farmer, it is difficult to buy them. Even if they buy, it is of not much use and lie unused for a long time. From our company, we allow them take these equipment on rent at affordable prices," he added. Vikram's Zamindara Farmsolutions has also been handpicked by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for training African agricultural specialists in achieving affordable farm mechanization through the pay-for-use model. Top-of-the-line resource persons from sub-Saharan nations like Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea have come in batches since last year for training, he said. The conference was organized in collaboration with United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional office for Asia and Pacific and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) in conjunction with International Forum on Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering 2014. Farming professionals from Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Iran, Cambodia, Mongolia, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Bangladesh attended the conference. (Inputs from Dinesh K Sharma) First Indian private sector entrepreneur While Indian agricultural scientists have earlier attended the international conferences organized by UN-ESCAP and CSAM, this was the first time that an Indian entrepreneur from the private sector was invited for it. His name for participation in the conference was recommended by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Awards Punjab state award for Vikram Ahuja for introducing new technologies in the field of agriculture -- August 15, 2009 Punjab state award for Surinder Kumar Ahuja for helping a large number of small farmers through the farm equipment rental model -- August 15, 2014