Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Central India’s biggest farm fair, Agrovision, in its 7th edition will be a four-day affair starting from December 11 in the city. Around 400 companies are expected to display their products and services. The fair has become annual meeting ground for farmers and experts. Last year, around five lakh farmers visited the fair, claimed the organizers.
Briefing reporters at the preparatory session held on Saturday, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari, who is the brain behind the event, said best technologies will be on display while around 60 experts will be available to explain various methods and processes to improve agriculture. The highlight will be a daylong session on dairy farming in presence of National Dairy Development Board chairman and officials. The exposition will also focus on pulses and oilseeds cultivation.
“Country is reeling under shortage of pulses. Rates of tur and other pulses are skyrocketing as we do not produce enough to meet requirements. Similarly, country imports edible oil worth Rs1 lakh crore. There is immense potential to divert to these crops. The traditional crops like cotton failed to meet farmers’ income needs because of poor prices.
“Time has come for farmers to use technology. Starting with soil health cards, using chemicals in required quantity and then shifting to crops that are more in demand, innovative approach pays. Bio-plastic is the future. Ethanol can give more income. Shifting to new crops is the answer,” said Gadkari. He also talked of scope in flower exports from Nagpur with new air connections to Gulf countries now available. “Farmers need support to fight adverse conditions and adopt innovative measures to earn enough,” said Gadkari.
The fair will also have 35 to 40 workshops on various aspects providing latest information. Success stories will be narrated to inspire farmers.
Energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule promised that all 70,000 pending applications for electricity connection to agricultural pumps in Vidarbha will be taken up with urgency and by June next the backlog will be wiped out. “Power is most essential for good farming, And I will do my bit to provide it to every needy farmer,’ he said.
Comments
comments
