SKUAST-K to hold annual two day mega farm cum exhibition Mela on March 4, 5

MASROOR AHMAD

SRINAGAR: With a renewed focus on tech-driven sustainable farming, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) is gearing up to host its highly anticipated annual mega farm mela on March 4-5, 2024, at the Shalimar campus.
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, along with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, are expected to inaugurate the Kashmir’s biggest farm event, the 9th Technology Exhibition-cum-Seed Sale Mela, the university said in a statement.
In a bid to bolster the blue revolution after successful green and white revolutions, the theme of this year’s annual two-day event has been chosen, ‘Cold Water Fisheries: A Game Changer in J&K’.
While showcasing SKUAST-K’s accomplishments in the fisheries sector, the mela will highlight the latest advancements in agriculture technologies.
The exhibition will display various technologies and methods of production for tapping J&K’s fisheries potential. SKUAST-K scientists will hold sessions and interactions with farmers and other interested people, informing them about fisheries cultivation. Special demonstrations of fisheries technology including fish gears and crafts and value-added fish products will be held.
Sale of fruit planting material, fish, vermicompost, animal feeds and supplements, herbs, animal and agri byproducts, vegetable and flower seeds and seedlings along with the latest farm machinery and other inputs will be held at the mela for which about 300 stalls to be setup at Shalimar campus.
Being organised by the SKUAST-K’s Directorate of Extension, more than 2 lakh people from all walks of life, including farmers and students, are expected to visit the two-day event to buy the inputs of their interest and have first-hand experience of the latest farming techniques & technologies of the various Agri and allied sectors. Agri-entrepreneurs, agri-industrialists and those interested in agriculture, horticulture, livestock, animal and plant husbandry, poultry, forestry, medicinal and aromatic plants, are expected to attend.
Some of the major highlights of the event include a technology demonstration, showcasing SKUAST-K innovations and startups, next-gen farming solutions, an expo of champion commercial farmers, an agri-industrial expo, farmers-scientists interface, awareness about centrally-sponsored schemes, an exhibition of ethnic and cultural diversity, participation of SHG and FPO enterprises, sale of quality seed and planting material, and agri-products.