Raisen (Madhya Pradesh), April 11 (NationPress) The three-day ‘Unnat Krishi Mela’ (Enhanced Agricultural Festival), an initiative by the Central government designed to foster technology-focused farming and sustainable agricultural practices, kicked off in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, officially opened this national agricultural gathering at Dussehra Maidan in Raisen.

The event started with the ceremonial lighting of lamps, followed by a collective rendition of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’.

This three-day event, running from April 11 to 13, aims to unite farmers, scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders from the agricultural sector nationwide for discussions and knowledge-sharing. It is anticipated to be transformative by offering farmers a comprehensive guide from ‘laboratory to field’ and ‘seed to market’, facilitating improved productivity and increased income.

Union Agriculture Minister Chouhan, who is overseeing the event within his Parliamentary constituency (Raisen is part of the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat), remarked, “This is not just a fair; it is an educational hub for agriculture, featuring 20 distinct sessions on various farming topics and live demonstrations.”

Before the official inauguration, he stated, “This agricultural fair aims to investigate ways to boost farmers' incomes and enhance agricultural practices in our area.”

Occupying a vast exhibition space, the fair hosts around 300 stalls that display a broad spectrum of agricultural innovations, including improved seed varieties, fertilizers, pesticides, micro-irrigation technologies, and advanced agricultural machinery.

Farmers will also have the opportunity to see modern tools such as happy seeders, super seeders, reaper-binders, balers, and rotavators in action through live demonstrations. Experts will provide practical training on the usage of these machines, helping farmers grasp their benefits.

The event comprises ongoing seminars and training sessions covering critical subjects like soil health management, crop diversification, natural farming, integrated pest and nutrient management, and post-harvest technologies.

Experts from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), agricultural universities, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras are engaging directly with farmers to deliver solutions tailored to local agricultural conditions.

Highlights of the fair include a mobile soil testing laboratory, live demonstrations of integrated farming systems, and dedicated displays for dairy, fisheries, poultry, and goat rearing. Additionally, insurance companies and banks have set up helpdesks for immediate crop insurance and credit assistance.

The festival will wrap up on April 13, graced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who will unveil a comprehensive agricultural roadmap for Raisen, Vidisha, Sehore, and surrounding areas.

This roadmap is expected to outline strategies for crop diversification, water conservation, market connections, and income enhancement, paving the way for future agricultural advancements in the region.