Progressive farmers, women entrepreneurs, start-ups and FPOs participated in the fair
Union Minister of State Kailash Choudhary has inaugurated Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2022 in New Delhi on March 9, 2022. The three-day Krishi Mela is being organised by the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) under the guidance of the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar.
Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) presided over the function. On this occasion, Choudhary dedicated “Pusa Agri Krishi Haat Complex” developed in two acres. Farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations will be able to do direct marketing of their products in the ‘Pusa Agri Krishi Haat Complex’.
With this facility, consumers will be able to buy the products of farmers directly, which will free them from middlemen. There is a provision of 60 stalls, haats and shops in this huge complex to promote farmer entrepreneurship. Thousands of progressive farmers, women entrepreneurs and start-ups from different parts of the country have participated in the fair.
Choudhary said that the government has not only implemented MSP by increasing the rate on more crops but has also increased the procurement. Ten thousand new FPOs are being built in the country at an expense of Rs 6,865 crore. Facilities are being mobilised in villages from the Agriculture Infra Fund of worth one lakh crore rupees. Special packages have also been given for the sectors allied to agriculture. He called upon the farmers to move forward and take the advantage of the schemes in collaboration with the government.
The major attractions of the fair are: Smart/Digital Agriculture, Agri Start-ups and Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), Organic and Natural Farming, Protected Farming/Hydroponic/Aeroponic/Vertical Farming, Advisory for promotion of Export of Agricultural Products. The fair will showcase new varieties developed by the institute, while other innovative technologies of IARI, such as the solar powered ‘Pusa-Farm Sun Fridge; Pusa Decomposer, Pusa Complete Bio-Fertiliser.
