Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra (GKVK) Krishi Mela kickstarts with 1.31 lakhs visitors
The University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore (UAS-B) will host the annual Krishi Mela from November 17 to 20 at Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra (GKVK). ‘Millets for Food, Health, and Income’ is the agricultural fair’s slogan this year.
In a press conference here on Wednesday, UAS Vice-Chancellor SV Suresh announced that the Krishi Mela will host a’seed festival’ for the first time.
Hundreds of farmers have taken up seed production on an area of more than 1,500 acres in collaboration with scientists. ‘Live resolution of agriculture-related queries through virtual meetings, provision to watch the events organised as part of the mela on social media and other arrangements have been made,’ Suresh said.
He also stated that the emphasis will be on educating farmers on how to grow drought-resistant crops. In addition, five new crop varieties will be released: red jackfruit, sunflower, baragu, saame, and ragi, which can be harvested in three and a half years.
On the first day of the mela, nearly 1.31 lakh people came to explore the 625 stalls set up on the GKVK campus in Yelahanka, in addition to the vast rows of ornamental sunflowers, cherry tomatoes, and exotic vegetables on display.
‘Last year, 17 lakh people attended the fair, and over 9.5 crore transactions were completed. This year’s fair is expected to attract more visitors. Furthermore, the turnover is expected to rise. This year’s attraction will be drought-resistant agricultural technologies and millets,’ he added.
The VC also stated that sheep varieties such as darper, rambullet, bannuru, elaga, sanan, and Bangalore long goat will be on display. Similarly, Golden Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, Polish Cap, Koshamo Fencil Leg, Silky, Malayan, and other types of poultry will be on display to attract the attention of the viewers. Sub-agricultural products such as fish, honey, and bakery items will also be available at the mela.
Drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, demonstrations of integrated farming systems, rain and surface water harvesting, suitable cropping systems for dry farming, demonstrations of improved agricultural machinery, demonstrations of newly released crop varieties, post-harvest technology, agricultural produce processing and value addition, horticulture crops, precision agriculture, and other products will be demonstrated.
