New Delhi: The three-day 'Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela, 2020' was inaugurated at the Mela Ground of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)in New Delhi on Sunday.
The event was inaugurated by Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, who was invited as the chief guest, along with Purshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj and Kailash Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture.
"This fair holds significance because when similar programmes are organised elsewhere people don't get an overall idea about the productivity in the agricultural sector. But when such events are held under the aegis of ICAR farmers and the general public alike get a fairer idea about their sector," said Tomar while addressing the media.
The chief guest along with other invitees visited each stall put up at the Mela and interacted with the farmers.
ICAR-IARI has been known for developing high yielding crop varieties with high resistance to many biological and abiotic stresses and with high nutritional quality.
The growing seed demand of Pusa varieties is a testimony to their increasing popularity among farmers.
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Just like every other year, 39 innovative farmers and five fellow farmers will be awarded during the Mela.
Major highlights:
- Live demonstration of Rabi crops
- Demonstration of protected cultivation of vegetables and flowers
- Exhibition and sale of farm equipment developed by IARI, ICAR institutes and private companies.
- Sale of seeds and plants of improved varieties
- Free testing of soil and water samples
- Demonstration and sale of agricultural products and agrochemicals.
- Demonstration of advanced irrigation methods
- Demonstration and sale of products developed by innovative farmers.
- Farmer scientist interaction
- Women empowerment program
- Free distribution of farm literature
- Free health check up
- Innovative farmers conference
- Flower show