The penultimate day of Madurai District Tiny and Small-Scale Industries Association’s Agro Tech here on Sunday saw thousands of people lining up, eager to understand agri-related businesses.
Visitors could be seen enquiring about seed varieties, terrace gardens and various medicinal plants on display. There were many queries regarding unique methods of cultivation, including vertical farming and cultivation of fodder crops.
K. Rajendra Babu, Chairman of Agro Tech, said several farmers, who were part of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), visited the stalls, saw the innovative tools available and even placed orders. Agriculturists from different FPOs were willing to set up their own stalls in the next edition of the event. “Some even learnt to make wealth out of horticultural waste. This gave them the necessary encouragement to try out new techniques in their own lands,” he said.
Joint convenor M. Jagan Mohan said there was an overwhelming support from various governmental agencies, including State Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO), Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board (TNSAMB), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA). He said many stalls selling novel varieties of seeds saw the maximum footfall.
He added that such events would help in creating ‘agropreneurs’.
D. Gayathri, a senior research fellow at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), said their stall selling medicinal plants and terrace garden equipment too gained major traction. “Many people are looking for self-sufficiency and terrace gardening helps in reaching that goal. One can relax looking at greenery while also being productive,” she said.
Concepts such as vertical farming which helps in saving water and manpower also gained popularity through the exhibition.
“Agro Tech comes to a close on Monday, but MADITSSIA members are enthusiastic about hosting the second edition next year,” said Mr. Jagan Mohan.
