Thousands of Farmers Flocked to Mega Agri Fair in Morena; Tomar Lays Foundation Stone of Hi-Tech Nursery

Thousands of farmers flocked to Morena, Madhya Pradesh, on the 2^nd day of a 3-day mega agriculture fair, exhibition, and training programmes organised by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh government and district administration.

On this occasion, the Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, addressed the farmers via video conference and stated that natural farming systems pave the way for farmers' prosperity. Farmers can increase the fertility of their land while also increasing production by cultivating cow-based natural methods in the fields, just as plants grow naturally in the forest.

On this occasion, Union Minister Tomar launched the NABARD project in Pahargarh for tribal development, as well as laid the foundation stone for a hi-tech Nursery and Tissue Culture Lab for an organic seed farm in Morena. The Governor of Gujarat, Devvrat, explained the importance of natural farming to the farmers who came to the mega fair exhibition organized at the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, Morena, saying that the Government of India currently spends about Rs. 2.5 lakh crore annually on fertilizer subsidy, which could be used for other development works in the country. Farmers who practice natural farming avoid the damage caused by chemical farming. He claims that natural farming can also increase farmer income while saving up to 70% of water.

Special guest Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that the farmer feeds the entire country, and there is no greater work than this. According to Scindia, farmers are the main reason why India's flag is flying all over the world today. He stated that the Agriculture Ministry's budget, which was Rs. 21,000 crores in 2013-14, has now nearly six times increased to Rs. 1.24 lakh crore. Scindia stated that infrastructure is being built for farmers while farmers increase production. In comparison to 2013-14, the country is producing more food grains and horticulture than ever before, and India is now the world's largest producer of milk, second in floriculture, and third in food grain production.

Kailash Choudhary, special guest and Union Minister of State for Agriculture, stated that several major initiatives have been launched to improve the welfare of farmers and raise their living standards. Farmers will have to embrace new technologies in order to increase their income. Natural farming is also being promoted by the government in order to keep people healthy and provide nutrition. Farmers must be self-sufficient in order for the country to become AatmaNirbhar. Farmers are now able to obtain simple loans at low-interest rates, which has alleviated their problems. The government has taken several steps, including the establishment of 10,000 new FPOs, primarily for small-scale farmers.

Farmers attended a variety of training sessions throughout the 3-day mega Krishi Mela. There will also be training sessions tomorrow. In today's main programme, Union Minister Tomar inaugurated a NABARD project for tribal development worth Rs.3.75 crore and distributed toolkits to tribal families. Tomar stated that this would improve the tribals' standard of living and increase their income. NABARD chose Pahargarh in Morena district for the tribal development project because the majority of the tribals living there are from the Sahariya community. The Sahariya tribe has been designated as a primitive tribe by the Indian government.

Aside from tubewells, activities such as pump sets, drips, plastic drums, farm ponds, pipes, and so on have been approved under the water resource development project. Along with this, saplings for horticulture and forestry will be distributed. Soil and water conservation activities, as well as 25 units of poultry and goat rearing, have been approved. Under the development of women, awareness programmes for Self-Help Group women, income-generating activities such as mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, papad making, cleanliness awareness programmes, and bank linkage, among other things, have been sanctioned. Health camps, livestock health camps, vegetable gardens, and the formation of FPOs have also been approved.

The goal is to integrate tribal families' development and to create a new model for their sustainable income generation based on participation and utilization of area and tribal needs. Capacity building at the village level by establishing tribal institutions that can participate in policy-making for the communities and improve their socioeconomic status is also one of its goals.

Tomar laid the foundation stone for a Hi-Tech Nursery and Tissue Culture Lab for an organic seed farm operated by the National Seed Corporation at Morena, which was revamped by the Union Agriculture Ministry. The Madhya Pradesh State Government has given the Union Agriculture Ministry 885.34 hectares of land in Gadora, Jakhauna, Rithora Khurd, and Gorkha villages for this purpose. The MIDH has approved the establishment of a tissue culture lab at a cost of Rs. 2.5 crore. This lab will produce approximately 30 lakh saplings per year, helping to revolutionize the commercial agriculture sector by enabling large-scale propagation of high-yielding, disease-free plants. Bamboo, Banana, Strawberry, Lemon Grass, Citronella, and other plants will be grown in the lab. Sahu, the NSC Director, provided detailed information on this.

Union Minister Tomar presented Rs. 2 crores to the women of the Sitlamata Self-Help Group during the program. Tomar also presented a cheque for an Rs. 4.56 lakh short-term loan provided by the MP Rural Development Bank via the Kisan Credit Card. Financial assistance was also provided to increase the production of millets as well as their processing. Along with this, assistance was provided for millets papad training, and the grant for drones was provided through FPO. Union Minister Tomar also distributed tablets to 14 recipients of the Breed Improvement Center, which was established in Tigra village near Bhamour for technical upgrading.

143 different stalls have been set up during the three-day mega agricultural fair and exhibition being held in Morena, where farmers are eager to learn more. Farmers are motivated to improve their farming practices and agricultural innovation as a result of the exhibition. Natural Farming, Nano Urea, Animal Nutrients, Fisheries, Water Conservation, Micro Irrigation, Crop Insurance Schemes, and Agriculture Startups are among the topics covered by stalls set up by National Institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Agricultural Universities.

During the day, Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Union Minister of State Kailash Chaudhary, and Minister-in-charge of Morena, Bharat Singh Kushwaha visited the fair and interacted with farmers and stall-holders. Farmers are watching the demonstration of farmer drones at this fair, which promotes innovative practices in modern farming. Tomar has also specifically requested that farmers attend the drone exhibition.