The ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune organized a three day “Innovative Farmers’ Meet - 2020” with theme “Farmers’ Innovations for Prosperous Agriculture” at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kolhapur, Maharashtra from 30th January to 1st February, 2020.
In his inaugural address, Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR expressed his concerns on the safe use of certified inputs for the crops, maintaining the natural resource and cow-based rural economy. Dr. Singh emphasized on using the quality microbial strains and formulation for farming by maintaining the number of beneficial insects. He urged for attracting and retaining the rural Youths in agriculture by developing different enterprise based models for regular income in the villages.
The Deputy Director General opined for promoting the integrated farming systems, protected cultivation, high-tech horticulture, processing & value-addition and agro-based enterprises for the higher profit. He stressed on the need to develop the replicable and sustainable models of farming for doubling the farmers’ income. He accentuated on the development of aggregation models for the farmers on commodity and community-based group farming linked with the FPOs that can help the farmers to prosper.
Dr. M.B. Chetti, Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad urged the Krishi Vigyan Kendras for converting more number of farmers into the organic farming and producing quality produce and promotion through market-led innovations.
Dr. K.P. Vishwanatha, Vice-Chancellor, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri regarded the rural youths as the key drivers of Indian agriculture with their increased participation and future prospects in term of business. He emphasized on doubling the farmers’ income with assured market prices of farmers’ produces.
Dr. Lakhan Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Pune highlighted the need of different innovations for commercialization and their proper utilization by the other farmers. He termed the innovative farmers as the link between formal and informal education. Dr. Singh emphasized on documenting the various innovations for traditional wisdom. He urged the KVKs and farmers for developing more of farming models in respect of the visionary Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for doubling the farmers’ income.
Adrushya Kadsiddheshwar Swami Ji, Chairman, Siddhagiri-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kaneri, Kolhapur briefed about the programme of Innovative Farmers' Meet - 2020 and its fruitfulness for other farmers.
Around 1,000 farmers and other extension officials participated in the meeting.
