Krishi Unnati Mela 2017 is to be kicked off today and will continue for three days at the campus of Indian Agricultural Research Institute IARI in Delhi. Jointly organized by ICAR and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare the mela will be inaugurated by Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh. Last year the mela was inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
This year the Mela would focus on Digitization in agriculture, Organic farming, Agribusiness models, Skill building and entrepreneurship development. A large number of farmers and other visitors are expected to participate in the mela.
Farmers would also be encouraged to undertake visits to experimental fields of IARI to learn Water use efficient technology- micro irrigation and sensor based irrigation system, Recycling of waste water for agriculture.
The mela would also showcase display and sale of various products (farm equipments, quality planting materials, bio-fertilisers, agro-chemicals, innovative farmers’ products) and machinery
This year about eight thousand invitations are being sent to ICAR Institutes, SAUs, KVKs, ATARIs, Public Sector Undertakings, NGOs, Pvt. Organisations and Farmers for booking of stalls to display agriculture technologies, products and services.
The technical sessions on various themes are planned to educate farmers on various agricultural technologies and Government schemes for agricultural development. A Women empowerment workshop will be organised to sensitise farm women on latest agricultural technologies and their rights.
Last year the mela witnessed participation of over 1 lakh visitors and 500 public and private exhibitors. This year the number is expected to rise.