Pic: Stalls being set up at the University of Agricultural Sciences campus in Dharwad for the Krishi Mela-2025Dharwad: Krishi Mela-2025 will be held at the University of Agricultural Sciences-Dharwad (UAS-D) from Sept 13 to 16 with the theme ‘Soil health and traditional varieties for nutritional food security’.UAS vice-chancellor prof PL Patil said here on Thursday that governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot will inaugurate the seed mela and fruit-flower show at Farmers’ Knowledge Centre on Sept 14, while chief minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate Krishi Mela on Sept 15 at 11.30am. Union minister Pralhad Joshi, deputy CM DK Shivakumar, legislative council chairman Basavaraj Horatti, labour minister Santosh Lad and MLC Saleem Ahmed will be the special guests.Prof Patil said comprehensive information about research, extension and teaching activities undertaken in campuses of UAS will be disseminated to the farming community during the mela. “The technologies released/ to be released by UAS will be showcased to create awareness among farmers through field trials and demonstrations. The main objective of the mela is to provide comprehensive information on all agricultural technologies to farmers at one place, he said. Krishi Mela-2024 had recorded more than 20 lakh footfalls, and this year it may increase,” he added.The VC said a platform for interaction with progressive farmers and farm women, successful farmers even during excess or deficit rainfall years, farm advisory services by experts will be arranged.Hi-tech stalls, field demonstrations, general stalls, farm machinery stalls, food stalls, livestock exhibit have been arranged. There are 562 stalls, of which 152 are hi-tech. Chairman of the mela organising committee and director of extension prof MV Manjunath was present.Seed Mela to disburse over 3k quintal of rabi seeds: V-CThe Seed Mela organised as part of the Krishi Mela by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad is gaining prominence over the last one decade. In a bid to provide quality sowing seeds at a subsidised rate for rabi, the UAS has procured over 3,516 quintal of various seeds for rabi cultivation, stated UAS vice-chancellor Prof PL Patil. The Seed Mela will begin on Sept 13 and over 20 stalls will be set up selling the seeds. The UAS, without giving any scope for hybrid seeds, has been focusing on nuclear and breeder seeds and this will be distributed to the farmers. Prof Patil said the UAS will be selling over 1,700 litre of bio-fertiliser in liquid form and 835 kg in powder form. Bio-pesticide of 2,900 litre will also be kept for sale. Main attractions* Seed Mela, soil and water conservation technologies, eco-friendly, natural and organic farming for sustainability, role of traditional varieties and soil health in nutritional food security, farm advisory services by experts and agri startups, integrated crop, nutrient, pest and disease management, rabi crop production technologies, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, hi-tech horticulture, fruits and flowers show, world of fascinating insects, use of improved farm equipment and Kisan Drone, farmers’ innovations, interaction with progressive farmers and farm women, agro-forestry, animal husbandry, exhibition of breeds and fodder crops technologies, and community science technologies for empowerment of women will be -2025.* Presentation of Dr Chennaveera Kanavi Award for best article in Kannada on agriculture, Krishi Goshti, different competitions for women and children through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
