Simhastha will be held in 3413 hectares in April-May in Ujjain this year.
The entire Mela area will be dotted with Akhadas. A large number of seers, saints and devotees will visit the Akhadas. Supply of food stuff to them will be a major challenge. The district administration has chalked out a strategy to deal with this challenge. Accordingly, farmers are being imparted technical knowledge and training about early ripening crops giving maximum profit for supply of supply food grains, milk, fruits and vegetables during Simhastha.
Many horticulture crops hit the markets during summer. If improved varieties of these crops are grown, their supply to the market is continuous and farmers can earn easy profits. Of these, tomato's U.S-440 and laxmi-5005 crops are ideal to be grown in January and February ripen in 45 to 50 days. Similarly, Sheetal, Pusa, Sawni Arka, Anamika, Sharbati and Samrat varieties give yield in 45 days. During summer melons and watermelons are also much in demand in the market. Farmers can earn good profits by growing Sugar Baby, Arka Jyoti, Madhu Milan and Namdhari varieties of watermelon within 65 to 70 days. Pusa, Madhuram, Gujarat and Kharbooza-3 improved varieties of melon ripen in 60 to 65 days. Demand for flowers will also rise during Simhastha. Farmers can earn maximum profit by growing marigold and giardia flowers in their fields in short time. Improved varieties of marigold include African Giant Double, Africa Orange, African Yellow, Golden Yellow, Pusa Orange, Pusa Basanti and French Marigold. These crops ripen within 50 days Farmers are being imparted training in horticulture.