The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala will organise a ‘krishi mela’ (farm fair) in its regional station at Vitla on January 10, according to its Director P. Chowdappa.
It is to create awareness among farmers on technological advances in arecanut and cocoa farming to enhance the profitability of farming. Major events proposed in the ‘mela’ included, interface between farmers and scientists, interactive seminar on arecanut-based cropping system for enhancing profitability, quiz competition for farmers and students, exhibition on new technologies and farm innovations by research institutes, KVKs, private entrepreneurs and innovative farmers.
D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister for Law and Justice would inaugurate it. N.K. Krishnakumar, Deputy Director General (Horticulture), Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICA), Delhi would deliver key-note address, a release said.
Scientists from the CPCRI will interact with stakeholders regarding production, protection and processing technologies and developmental programmes on arecanut and cocoa. A special session on containing monkey menace in farms would also be held.
Exhibits on plantation crops and allied sectors would be displayed for giving firsthand information to the farmers. Farm produce by innovative farmers would be displayed. About 40 exhibition stalls were expected during the mela for displaying technologies and inputs. More than 2,000 farmers are expected to participate in it, the release added.
