Department of Agriculture today organized one day District level Exhibition cum Kissan Mela under centrally sponsored scheme Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SAME).District Development Commissioner, Rahul Yadav was the Chief Guest, who formally inaugurated the Mela.Chairpersons BDC Mandi, Lassana, DDC Members Poonch, Lassana and District officers of the allied sectors and over 600 farmers hailing from different villages of the District were present on the occasion.Stalls were setup by Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Sericulture, Fisheries, Handicraft and Ayush Department, besides banks demonstrating scientific cultivation practices of mushroom, apiculture, soil testing and allied activities.The private companies also participated in the Mela. The latest farm machinery including Tractors, Tillers, Water lifting devices, Rain gun were displayed at the Mela site.The visiting farmers also brought more than 150 live exhibits of the crops for display of which 63 were given prizes.Chief Agriculture Officer, Arvind Baru. welcomed the Chief Guest and the participants and gave the detailed resume of the activities of Department and highlighted the importance of the event and achievements/ schemes implemented for the welfare of the farmers by the Department during current financial year.
In his address, the District Development Commissioner congratulated the farmers for their participation in the Kissan Mela and stressed upon them to come forward and avail the maximum benefits of the different schemes of the Government. He emphasized that Infrastructure Funds and Prime Minister Formalization of Micro Food Enterprises (PMFME) and FPOs are in vogue in the district by which the unemployed youth and rural masses can avail the opportunity for establishing Start-ups in the Agro-Processing ventures.The DDC urged upon Chief Agriculture Officer and the other sectoral heads of the allied department to conduct regular field visits and aware the farmers regarding the latest technology and different schemes of the Departments.He also awarded the best progressive farmers for their extra ordinary performance in agriculture sector during the function.The experts from Agriculture and allied sectors acquainted the farmers about the latest farming for increasing their productivity.District Agriculture Officer (Ext), Ajaz Kohli briefed the gathering about the purpose of holding Kissan Mela. All the officers and officials of the department participated in the function.