“जैविक कृषि प्रणाली अपनाएं – आय दुगुनी बढाएं” based on this theme, like every year this year also a two day long Central KisanMela ( 1st and 2nd February. 2018) was organized at Getalsud Farm of Angara Block in Ranchi District by the joint collaboration of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Divayayan KVK, Morabadi, Ranchi and 33 Vivekananda Seva Sanghas of Angara Block.
The main objectives of the Mela were to introduce farmers with new technologies of agriculture, popularize organic farming and boost confidence among the farmer in adopting organic farming for the healthy environment and healthy society without losing productivity and to demonstrate low cost implements to reduce drudgery and increase agricultural productivity.
To meet the above objectives stalls, models, live demonstrations, audio-visual shows, charts, posters and two Kisan Gosthi were organized during the Kisan Mela. All the events and shows were conducted in local/Hindi languages to get through to the farmers. 22 scientists from the Agricultural Universities and research institutions, KVK were invited during the mela to have direct interaction with the farmers.
Though the mela was opened to the farmers since 8:00 am on 1st February, 2018, but it was formally inaugurated at 1:00 pm on the same day by the chief guest Sri Amit Khare, I.A.S., Development Commissioner, Govt. of Jharkhand in gracious presence of other dignitaries like Sri Acharya, General Manager, NABARD; Dr. Anjani Kumar, Director, ICAR-PATNA, B.D. O, Angara, Smt. Anita Gadi, Prakhand Pramukh, Angara block etc. After the inauguration, all the guests visited the stalls put on by Divyayan KVK and other agencies.
On 2nd Day of the Mela, Sri Raghubar Das, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jharkhand graced the concluding function by his presence as Chief Guest and Sri Randhir Kumar Singh, Hon’ble Agriculture Minister, Govt. of Jharkhand was the Hon’ble Guest. Smt Rajbala Verma, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Jharkhand, Smt Pooja Singhal, Secretary, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Co-operative, Sri Avinas Kumar, Principal Secretary, Rural Development, Sri Subrato Mandal, CGM, NABARD were the special Guests.
All the guests lauded the contribution of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Divyayan Krishi VIgyan Kendra for the growth and development of Agricultural and allied sector in Ranchi and adjoining districts.
Crop and Animal Exhibition: To encourage and to increase the participation of the farmers’ and for horizontal dissemination of technology the farmers were informed in prior to bring their own produces as exhibits and will be awarded for the best produce. In all, around 700 crops and animal exhibits were brought by the farmers and were registered and exhibited in the Mela. All the exhibits brought by farmers like vegetables, fruits, handicrafts, lac and mushroom were of best quality and appreciated by guests. Good breeds of healthy animals were also displayed in the Mela. 100 farmers were given prizes for their exhibits.
Stalls: 30 stalls from various research institutes, Birsa Agricultural University, seed companies, agricultural implements companies were there besides the stalls of Divyayan Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute and other departments of the Ashrama. As said earlier, different departments of the Divyayan KVK put up their stalls, models and live demonstration of some technologies of fisheries, puffed rice making machine, solar cooker etc. were done which was center of attraction for the farmers.
Thus, the Kisan mela proved a major source for transfer of innovative technologies to the farmers. Visit of live demonstration units, the stalls and farm during farmer’s fair provided an opportunity to the farmers to practically see the technologies displayed in stalls and in field. They had interaction with concerned scientists also Kisan Goshthies & Cultural Programmes organized on each day of the fair, were other highlights for attracting large number of farmers.
Around 16000 farmers attended in both the days of Mela.