Unnat Krishi Mahotsav in MP’s Raisen to focus on practical solutions for farmers: Shivraj

Bhopal, April 10 (IANS) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday said that the three-day national-level Unnat Krishi Mahotsav to be held in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen from April 11 will focus on delivering practical solutions and modern technologies directly to farmers. 

Addressing a press conference at his residence in Bhopal, Chouhan said the national-level Advanced Agriculture Festival (Unnat Krishi Mahotsav), starting April 11, aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and farming practices.

“We are striving to formulate scientifically grounded agricultural roadmaps tailored to individual states,” he said, adding that strategies must align with local climate, soil, and resources.

The event will be organised at the Dussehra Ground in Raisen and will be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will attend the closing ceremony on April 13.

Highlighting the scale of the event, Chouhan said over 300 stalls will be set up with participation from national institutions, agri-startups, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and private companies.

“The agricultural fair will not be limited to speeches alone; it will feature live demonstrations of modern farm machinery and new technologies,” he said.

Farmers will gain hands-on exposure to tools such as drones, seeders, sprayers, and rotavators, along with techniques such as micro-irrigation, precision farming, and fertigation. “These methods will be explained in a practical, hands-on manner so that farmers can easily adopt them,” he added.

The Union Minister said special sessions on around 20 topics, including soil health, digital agriculture, and post-harvest management, will be conducted by experts. He emphasised that farmers will also receive direct benefits through services like soil testing and information on government schemes.

Underlining the broader objective, Chouhan said the initiative aims to boost farmers’ incomes. “We are working to create sustainable and climate-resilient farming models that reduce input costs and increase productivity,” he said, adding that allied sectors such as dairy, fisheries, and poultry will also be promoted.

A key highlight of the Mahakumbh will be the release of a region-specific agricultural roadmap for the districts of Sehore, Vidisha, Raisen, and Dewas. “This roadmap will outline suitable crops and horticulture options based on local conditions,” Chouhan said.

He added that the event is designed to ensure that farmers benefit directly by adopting modern practices and improving their livelihoods.

--IANS

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