Dhami inaugurates 19th All India Farmers’ Fair at Pantnagar

RUDRAPUR: Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday inaugurated the 19th All India Farmers' Fair and Agro-Industrial Exhibition at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, describing it as a "Krishi Kumbh" that brings farmers, knowledge and technology together on one platform.

The fair was inaugurated in the presence of vice-chancellor Prof Manmohan Singh Chauhan, Kichha MLA Tilak Raj Behar, former minister Rajesh Kumar, former MLA Rajesh Shukla, Rudrapur mayor Vikas Sharma, district BJP president Kamal Jindal, district panchayat president Ajay Maurya, Mandi Parishad chairman Anil Dabbu and director of extension education Dr Jitendra Kwatra.

After the inauguration, the chief minister visited horticulture exhibitions and stalls set up by different colleges of the university. He later paid floral tribute at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Park.

Addressing farmers, Dhami said such fairs help bridge the gap between agricultural research and farmers. "Farmers can learn about improved seeds, modern farm machinery, scientific techniques and new agricultural technologies at one place. These innovations will benefit farmers and strengthen the agricultural sector," he said.

Calling farmers the backbone of the nation, he said they were not only food providers but also worked tirelessly to feed the country. "When farms prosper, villages prosper and the nation progresses," he added.

Dhami also highlighted initiatives such as PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, increased MSP for crops, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and enhancement of Kisan Credit Card limits up to Rs 5 lakh. He said the state govt was supporting farmers through interest-free loans up to Rs 3 lakh, free canal irrigation and subsidies on farm machinery.

Vice-chancellor Prof Chauhan said the fair, organised twice a year, allows farmers to interact with scientists and learn about the latest technologies. "For the first time, an innovation stall has been set up to showcase technologies developed by the university in recent years," he said.

Nine progressive farmers and two agri-entrepreneurs from different districts of Uttarakhand were felicitated at the event. More than 350 stalls have been set up at the fair, which drew farmers from Uttarakhand, neighbouring states and Nepal.