Department of Agriculture today organised a one day Kissan Mela Cum Exhibition here under the Centrally Sponsored scheme Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA).The Mela was inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner, Mussarat Islam. He also handed over the keys of tillers to the beneficiaries. Various stalls were set up by Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Sericulture, Fisheries, Handicrafts Department, besides Banks and DIC, exhibiting scientific cultivation practices of mushroom, apiculture, soil testing and allied activities. The visiting farmers brought more than 200 crop produce exhibits for display. Latest agriculture implements including Tillers, water-lifting devices, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems apart from products used in organic farming were also displayed at the Mela. The DC inspected the stalls and appreciated the activities of the Agriculture and allied departments. The farmers also showed keen interest in various products displayed at the Mela. BDC Chairpersons, President MC, Ramban, Amit Bharti, CPO, Dr Kasturi Lal, GM DIC, Vishwajeet, CAO, Farooq Ahmed, CHO, VK Gupta, DSHO, Vikas Gupta, DDM, Arushi Sharma, various district and sectoral head of different department attended the functions.
In his inaugural address, the DC asked the Agriculture and allied departments to carry out regular field visits to implement all the schemes on ground besides providing technical help to farmers at their door-steps for scaling up agriculture production. The DC urged CAO to motivate farmers to form Farmer Producer Organizations in coordination with the NABARD to promote export of targeted crops in an organized way.The DC said that the administration is planning to establish Farmer Markets and Apni Mandis at various locations in the district to provide real value of produce to farmers.Earlier, the Chief Agriculture Officer gave a detailed resume of the activities of the Agriculture Department for promoting scientific farming amongst the farmers of the district. He also informed the people about initiatives being taken by the department to make District Ramban a hub for Anardana, Honey, Rajmash and Dry rind production under ‘ONE DISTRICT ONE PRODUCT schemes’. In the interactive session, the allied departments along with some progressive farmers spoke about the activities in the farming sector going on in the District. Some progressive farmers who spoke on the occasion put forth their demands /suggestions for bringing about further improvement in the field of Agriculture and allied activities.The DC also awarded the best progressive farmers for their extraordinary achievements in the agriculture sector during the function.