There is a need to Promote Zaid Cultivation in Bundelkhand: Minister, Surya Pratap Shahi at Kisan Mela

Bundelkhand Kisan Mela and a two-day agricultural exhibition on the subject of Shree Anna (nutritional grains) and possibilities of agricultural exports in Bundelkhand started on Sunday, February 26. The Kisan Mela is being organized by the Directorate of Extension Education, on the premises of Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Gwalior Road, Jhansi.

The fair began with the live telecast of the 98th Mann Ki Baat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi among all participants and farmers who visited the fair. The fair was formally inaugurated by a lamp-lighting ceremony by Chief Guest, Surya Pratap Shahi, Agriculture Minister, Agricultural Education and Agriculture Research Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, MP Jhansi- Lalitpur Anurag Sharma, Vice Chancellor RLBCAU, Jhansi, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, District Panchayat President Pawan Gautam, Municipal District President BJP, Mukesh Mishra, Acharya Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya, Vice Chancellor Dr. Vijender Singh, Vice Chancellor of the Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Dr. N.P. Singh, Vice Chancellor, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi Dr. Mukesh Pandey, and Additional Director Agriculture Arvind Singh.

A welcome speech to all the guests and detailed information about the fair was given by the Dean of Agriculture, Dr. SK Chaturvedi. At this fair, various university scientists gave lectures on techniques for the scientific cultivation of upcoming Kharif crops.

Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Education and Agricultural Research, Government of Uttar Pradesh, began his address with Bharat Mata ki Jai jaighosh and remarked that RLBCAU, Jhansi has made an unprecedented effort on the subject of Shree Anna (nutritious grains) and the possibilities of agricultural exports in Bundelkhand. He congratulated Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh for organizing the fair and exhibition for the first time. He remarked that this fair's unique efforts would benefit the farmers. He emphasized the need for modern farming training for farmers, front-line demonstrations, awareness drives on the amount and structure of organic carbon in the soil, and green manure.

He said there is a need to promote Zaid cultivation in the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh regions of Bundelkhand so that the farmers can increase their income through farming and conducting soil testing. On this occasion, 11 progressive farmers of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were awarded certificates of appreciation for their excellent performance in the field of pulses, oilseeds, fisheries, seed production, ber integrated farming system, poultry farming, basmati rice, natural farming, etc. at the Kisan Mela.

MP Anurag Sharma said in his address that the farmer brethren of India played a significant role in the  Corona period. Farmers are the pride of the country. He stressed that to realise the Prime Minister's vision, there is a need to promote healthy growth through nutritious grains, ragi laddus, herbs, amla, Napier grass, the technology of solar pumps, etc.

The Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, who presides over the fair, said in his address that the university has organized the fair for the first time, and farmers will benefit from this fair. He said that there is a need to move forth in the direction of farming through water conservation. He advised farmers to form groups and practice farming through Farmers Producers Association. In addition to Shri Anna, he said the multi-dimensional goals can be achieved by growing nutritious grains, kharif onion, corn, groundnut, and linseed farming, which will be explained in detail in this two-day program. He further thanked the Divisional Administration, District Administration, Police Administration, and Municipal Corporation for their cooperation in the agriculture fair.

Bulletins on the possibilities of beekeeping along with agricultural fair souvenir, Krishi Jeevan Magazine, edited books and books on soil improvement by microbes, and the concept of agricultural economics, by university scientist Dr. Harichand, Dr. David Chella Bhaskar, Dr. Anil Kumar Gupta were released by all the guests. Agricultural extension technical books and bags were given to all the farmers. An attractive flower and fruit exhibition was organized under the joint auspices of the Horticulture Department, Uttar Pradesh, and Horticulture College of Agriculture University.

In all, more than 80 stalls were set up at the fair. While observing the floral and fruit exhibition, the agriculture minister expressed his appreciation. Attractive technical stalls were also set up by educational, research institutions, and non-governmental agencies, and through them, information was disseminated to the farmers. All the university officers- scientists, heads of departments, academic and non-academic employees of the university, and all officers of Grassland, CAFRI, Agriculture Department, Horticulture Department, and Jhansi Division were present on the occasion. Dr. Artika Singh moderated the stage, and the program coordinator and Director of Extension Education, Dr. SS Singh, gave a vote of thanks.

Author - Dr. Alka Jain, Professor, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University