In a bid to apprise the farmers and agro-entrepreneurs of the latest developments made in the agro sector while familiarising the experts including farmers with the latest technologies of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, forestry, biotechnology, dairy, fishery, bee keeping, agricultural engineering, food processing and value addition including village and cottage industries, the Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) will organise a three-day state level-Agrotech 2018 Kisan Mela from February 3 to February 5.
The theme of the event is ‘Upscaling and outscaling of innovations for doubling farmers’ income.
Addressing the media persons on Monday, BAU Vice Chancellor Dr Parvinder Kaushal said, “Over 140 stalls were being put up where different departments, faculties, units, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Zonal Research Stations of BAU, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes located in the state, government departments, banks, dealers of seeds, fertilizers, farm implements, NGOs and other organizations will display their technologies, products and services.”
Governor Draupadi Murmu will inaugurate the event on February 3 at 11.00 AM. Horticulture show comprising fruits, vegetables, flowers, flower arrangements, spices, decorative, medicinal, aromatic plants and animal-bird show consisting cattle, buffalo, pig, sheep, goat, poultry, duck etc will be part of the exhibition as the major centre of attraction.
Display and sale of seeds, planting material, fertilizers, farm implements and value added processed agro products, free testing of soil and water samples, visit of experimental areas and screening of video films on modern farm technologies are other unique features of the event designed especially to increase the technical know-how of the participants.
Kaushal further added that lohardaga, Ranchi and Khunti districts have been selected for all round development of tribal dominated areas under Tribal Sub Plan for which ICAR has provided `8 crore.
“Since 98 percent of the local cattle are nondescript having low milk yield potential, the university is going to set up Cattle Breeding Centre for indigenous breeds like sahiwal, gir, rathi, red sindhi, bachhour etc as their milk is of A2 category having medicinal property and fetching higher price,” the VC further added.
Meanwhile, Dr Kaushal said that the State government has been requested for deputing doctors and paramedical staffs for teachers, other staffs for the students of this residential university where seats in Under Graduate (UG) courses have been increased from 126 to 400. He added the university would soon start a coaching institute for preparing students for civil services examination including other competitive examination for jobs and entrance examination for Indian Institute of Managements and other leading business schools.