97th Kisan Mela begins at GB Pant University

The four-day 97th farmers’ fair-cum-agro-industrial exhibition, popularly known as Kisan Mela, began at the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) in Pantnagar on Friday. The exhibition highlights the state-of-the-art techniques of farming besides encouraging farmers to adopt new and scientific methods of farming.

The farmers’ fair was inaugurated at the main campus of the Pantnagar University by Prof HS Dhami, Vice-Chancellor, GBPUAT along with a farmer from Haridwar, Man Chand.  Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dhami, said all the Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the University should facilitate farmers with new technologies and resources like seeds, chemicals and fertilisers.

Dhami also asked the students of agriculture to contribute to farming with their knowledge to make it more productive and profitable. Among others, Rajendra Pal Singh, Premlata Singh, YPS Dabas, Director, Extension Education and JP Singh, Director Experiment Station, scientists from GBPUAT, farmers and other officials of the Pantnagar University were present on the occasion.

Apart from different colleges affiliated to GBPUAT, agricultural institutions at the national-level have also set up stalls in this fair-cum-exhibition to make the farmers aware of the latest developments that have come up in the agricultural sector in recent times.  The agricultural scientists have appealed to the farmers to take part in this fair in maximum number and make the most of it in the days ahead.

On this occasion, nine farmers selected from different districts of Uttarakhand were also honoured. 

Farmers from UP, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand, to name a few States, are taking part in the fair. All major organisations associated with the farming sector, representing major brands, put up stalls too, displaying modern agriculture technology. Farmers were seen purchasing seeds, planting materials, fertilisers and chemicals on Friday.