The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad on Tuesday inaugurated an Exhibition-cum-Kisan Mela organised by Agriculture department, here.Director Agriculture Kashmir Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal accompanied the DC on the occasion.The department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Floriculture, Fisheries, Apiculture, KVK, Animal Husbandry, Private Machinery dealers had established their stalls in the Kisan Mela to inspire the unemployed youth towards private sector by showcasing the success stories of successful and progressive farmers.Scientists from agriculture and allied sectors shared information with the participating farmers about modern techniques to be adopted in Crop Husbandry, Apiculture, Mushroom Cultivation, Kitchen gardening and backyard poultry rearing. They were also informed about various Centrally Sponsored Schemes of agriculture sector and incentives available under these schemes.Speaking on the occasion, the DC termed agriculture as the backbone of the country’s economy and appealed all the participating farmers to come forward and avail the technical know how being provided to them by the department through qualified agriculture technocrats.He visited the stalls set up by the department and allied sectors and interacted with the farmers. He appealed the people to be in close rapport with the experts of agriculture and horticulture department and avail benefits of modern technology.Earlier, Chief Agriculture Officer Bandipora urged the farmers to adopt the High-tech farming to boost agriculture production including Mushroom Cultivation, Bee Keeping, Vegetable and Flower Cultivation.Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sumbal, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Chief Agriculture Officer Mohammad Rafiq, District Information Officer Bandipora Jahangeer Ahmad, SDAO Farooq Ahmad and other senior officers besides a number of farmers were present on the occasion.