Kisan Melas

The ICAR-VPKAS, Almora organized “46th Krishi Vigyan Mela, Shree Anna: Basis of Farmer Prosperity” on 27^th March 2023 at its Experimental Farm Hawalbagh.  The Chief Guest of the occasion was Padma Bhushan Dr. Rajendra Singh Paroda, Former Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Government of India and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. On this occasion, the Chief Guest praised the research work being conducted in the field of mountain agriculture by the institution. He congratulated the Director and scientist of the institute for its research efforts since these have been validated by the farmers themselves. He stated that the institute has made a remarkable contribution in advancing agriculture, especially mountain agriculture.Saluting the founder of the institute, Prof. Boshi Sen, he said the establishment of this institute by Prof. Sen has been a special revolution in hill agriculture. Emphasizing agricultural diversification, he said that organizing this type of Krishi Vigyan Mela is beneficial for the dissemination of new technologies among hill farmers. Appreciating the contribution of women in hill agriculture, he said the water from the field should follow the tree in the field and on every ridge. Emphasizing the formation of self-help groups and farmer-producer organizations, he said that through these groups, there will be an increase in income along with a reduction in agricultural costs.

He called upon the farmers to take advantage of the schemes being run by the central and state governments. In view of the International Millet Year 2023, he said that the coarse grains produced by the farmers will be bought by the government at the minimum support price. While presiding over the ceremony, Municipal Chairman Mr. Prakash Chandra Joshi appreciated the scientific methods being developed by the scientists of the institute and urged the farmers to take advantage of these methods and increase their crop yield. Along with this, he called upon the scientists of the institute to bring changes in the technologies in view of climate change. Special guest Dr. Sunil Nautiyal, Director, Govind Ballabh Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Almora, said that this institute is strengthening the hill farming system and is succeeding in taking its developed technologies to remote hilly areas as well. Dr. Anil Kumar Sharma, Director, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar emphasized research in two areas of production and quality of mountain agriculture in view of International Millet Year 2023. Shri Ramesh Chandra, Director, All India Radio, Almora urged the farmers to take advantage of the institute's agricultural research and agricultural contemporary information broadcasted by All India Radio and asked them to contribute to the progress of the country. Chief Agriculture Officer Mr. Dhanpat Kumar apprised the farmers about various agricultural schemes and grants being run by the state government. The institute's varieties developed by the institute namely VL Soya 99, VL Mandua 400 and VL Seed logo were launched by the Chief Guest. Also, training manual "Prakartik Kheti-Kam Lagat Avam Swasth  Paryavaran ka Saral Vikalp", of KVK, Uttarkashi and leaflets viz., Scientific cultivation of irrigated paddy in the hilly region of Uttarakhand", "Soybean in the hilly region of Uttarakhand" Got freedom from "advanced cultivation of Bhatti" were also released. Progressive farmers Mr. Shoban Ram, Mr. Indra Singh Raikhwal, Mr. Umesh Chandra, Mr. Madanmohan, Mr. Rahul Singh, Mrs. Maheshi Devi, Mr. Babbu Lal Arya and Mr. Prem Pal ji were facilitated on the occasion. Earlier, while welcoming the Chief Guest, special guest, distinguished guests, visitors, and farmers, the Director of the institute, Dr. Lakshmi Kant briefed about the research work done by the institute and the technologies developed in the field of hill agriculture. He informed everyone that more than 500 farmers from eight remote districts of the state are participating in this Krishi Vigyan Mela, as a result of which the technologies developed by the institute are successful even in remote places. On this occasion, VL Mandua Thresher, Power Weeder and small agricultural implements were distributed to the farmers.