Horticulture festival clocks Rs20 lakh sales in three days

Patna: The three-day horticulture festival concluded at Gandhi Maidan on Sunday.During the programme, agriculture minister Ram Kripal Yadav distributed Rs10.79 lakh as prize money to participating farmers.Yadav said the state govt is working on the entire value chain—from production to marketing—to make horticulture a pillar of income growth, employment and rural entrepreneurship. Special focus is being given to niche sectors like honey and makhana, he said.Rajesh Kumar from Vaishali received the first prize of Rs88,000, Rinku from Bhagalpur got the second prize of Rs86,000 and Ragini Devi from Vaishali grabbed the third prize of Rs57,000. Overall, Bhagalpur ranked as the top-performing district, followed by Vaishali and Purnia.The event featured 7,696 products displayed by 807 farmers across categories, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, honey, and medicinal plants. Purnia district contributed the most exhibits, with 930 entries. Officials said the festival generated approximately Rs20 lakh in sales over the three-day.Yadav said, “The event showcased innovation, modern technology and prosperity of farmers.” More than 60 stalls represented national and state institutions, providing tools, seeds, and technical information.Scientists conducted sessions for farmers on makhana production, packaging, and modern irrigation. The festival also had a painting competition for students and a quiz for university participants.Principal secretary of agriculture, Narmadeshwar Lal, said the department is considering holding the event multiple times a year to support the horticulture value chain. The closing ceremony was attended by state officials and Padma Shri recipient Rajkumari Devi.