Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu is organising a five day Northern India regional Agriculture Fair – 2021 w.e.f October 07-11, 2021 at Main Campus, Chatha.Prof. J.P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu and Chief Patron of the Agriculture Fair, during interaction with Press and Media, informed that the Northern India regional Agriculture Fair – 2021 would focus on demonstration of the transferable technologies developed by the university to improve agricultural productivity, profitability and sustainability in the Jammu region. Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lt. Governor, UT of J&K has consented to be the Chief Guest on the inaugural function of this five days mega event of Regional Agriculture Fair on 8th October, 2021.First two days of the fair are kept exclusively for Innovative Farmers’ Conference where Padmashree and innovative farmers will grace the occasion and share their experiences. Shri Parshotam Rupala, Hon’ble Union Minister Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Govt of India will be inaugurating the Innovative Farmers’ Conference on 7th October, 2021.Prof. Sharma said that the event shall bring a large number of farmers, farm women, livestock owners, agri-preneurs, industrialists, rural youth, researchers, technocrats, extensions workers, students and policy makers at one platform, wherein they shall have direct access to latest innovative ideas available in the field of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and other allied sectors.
Prof, Sharma further informed that main attractions of the fair will be exhibition of latest agri-start-ups, kisan ghosties, Beekeeping sammelan, workshop on Basmati, sale of quality seed and planting material, live demonstration of new varieties, flower show, vegetable show, fruit show, passport mela, animal & dog show, agri-tourism, industrial meet, rural sports and farmers-scientist interaction, presentation by innovative farmers. Moreover the fair will be available live on virtual platforms. Farmers from all the northern states viz., Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttrakhand, etc will be visiting SKUAST-Jammu to actively participate in the Northern Indian Regional Agriculture Fair – 2021.The event will provide an opportunity to all farm stakeholders in Northern India, including Agricultural Universities, Farmers, NGOs, SHGs to showcase their technologies and understand other economical methods of farming. There will be more than 300 stalls from public, private, NGOs and progressive farmers, depicting the latest farm technologies, handicrafts, books and organic fertilizers
The event will be attended by more than one lakh farmers through physical as well as virtual mode. Besides, the sensitization of rural youths and farmer-scientist interactions will be arranged to provide a quick and effective way of exchanging innovative ideas.During the fair, progressive farmers will be felicitated for their best contribution in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. It is the only forum of its kind where policy makers, government officials and all stakeholders will come together to have interaction and dialogue with farmers. Prof. Sharma said that the 5 day Northern India regional Agriculture Fair – 2021 is first of its kind to be organized by SKUAST-Jammu and hopes that it will be a Mega Event. The Regional Agriculture Fair is to be organized in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Floriculture, Sheep Husbandry, Sericulture, Fisheries, Command Area Development, National Horticulture Board, JKEDI, ICCR etc.Giving a resume of the major achievements of the University, he said twenty (20) entrepreneurs established their ventures through startups under the RKVY- RAFTAAR scheme by SKUAST Jammu. At present 96 research projects amounting to Rs. 45.5 crore are in operation funded by 25 funding agencies mainly ICAR,DBT,DST,NABARD etc.