UAS-Dharwad set to host Krishi Mela from today

Over 10 lakh farmers expected to take part

Seeds bags stored in large numbers for sale at affordable prices to farmers, at the Seed Mela beginning on Saturday.

Countdown has started for ‘Krishi Mela-2018’, the four-day mega agricultural event to be held on the University of Agricultural Sciences–Dharwad campus here for four days from Saturday.

This year, over 10 lakh farmers are expected to take part. A total of 700 stalls displaying an array of farm materials and equipment will come up at the Krishi Mela. It is the only one of its kind where farmers as well as other consumers can buy commodities, seeds, tools, and other equipment. While the event will start on Saturday, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy will formally inaugurate it on Sunday. Agriculture Minister N.H. Shivashankar Reddy will be present.

UAS-D Vice-Chancellor M.B. Chetti said the tagline of this year’s event is ‘Consume Millets – Conserve Health’. The attraction will be information on production, value addition and marketing of nutri-millets. Apart from this, research plots have been laid out to showcase the latest technologies developed by the university. Other attractions are ornamental fish exhibition, dryland technologies like farm ponds, micro irrigation, integrated farming system, green house floriculture and vegetable cultivation that complement the Krishi Bhagya Yojane of the State government, he said.

Focus has been given to disseminate quality information and introduce new farm technologies and crop breed to the farming communities. Accordingly, this year, there will be special talks on Platform for nutri cereals – production, value addition and marketing, rainwater harvesting system for groundwater recharge, diversified and Integrated Farming System (IFS) for doubling farmers income. Agriculture experts and progressive farmers will also throw light on empowerment of farm families. There will be an exhibition on hi-tech horticulture, fruits and flowers show, agro-forestry and bio-fuel trees, scientific animal husbandry and exhibition of breeds and home science technologies for empowerment of women.

Seed mela

Seed mela too will be held, which aims to supply quality seeds to farmers for rabi sowing. The mela, which is being held from five years, is gaining momentum and a large number of farmers purchase seeds here.

The best farm awards will be given to progressive farmers on September 24 and best young farmer awards on September 25.