Thousands of farmers and agriculture enthusiasts from different parts of Hyderabad Karnataka thronged the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur (UAS-R) campus on Friday, the first day of the annual Krishi Mela.
The three-day event, aimed at introducing newer agricultural and allied technologies to farming community, included 200 exhibition stalls by agricultural and horticultural universities, government departments, non-governmental agencies, private seed and fertiliser companies.
UAS-R will showcase two new seed varieties - SIRI-1253 (paddy) and DSB-21 (soybean) - and an e-Solution Against Agricultural Pests (e-SAP) technology. Students enthusiastically explained to vistors how the e-SAP installed tablet would pictorially provide complete information about pest attack, virus infest and other diseases to specific crops at various stages of their development.
Other technologies demonstrated were: mechanised paddy transplanter, watershed development technology, drip and sprinkler irrigation methods and varietal and chawki rearing technologies in sericulture. On all three days an interactive session will be organised for farmers to share their experiences to agricultural scientists and experts.
"These session where farmers share their rich experiences is useful not only for farmers, but also for agriculture scientists. There would be a lot to learn for university scientists from both the successes and the failures of farmers," , Vice Chancellor of the University P M Salimath told The Hindu . Minister of State for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda would participate in the Mela on Saturday, he added. (eom)
