ICAR- Directorate of Groundnut Research -Junagadh, organised a Kisan mela and exhibition for the groundnut farmers of Saurashtra region on 4th February, 2020 with the financial support from DAC. The mela was attended by 
more than 850 farmers which included over 200 women farmers. The main emphasis of the mela was to provide information and guidance to the farmers about the use of various chemical fertilizers in groundnut crops on the basis of soil testing.
Dr. Chetan Trivedi, Vice Chancellor, Bhaktakavi Narasimh Mehta University, Junagadh, was the chief guest of the programme, and other dignitaries present were Shri Jitendra Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, DAC, New Delhi, Dr. Pramod Mohanot, ADR, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Dr. N.K. Gontia, Principal Agriculture Engineering Faculty Junagadh
Agricultural University, Junagadh; Dr. Mohan A. Vadodariya, Principal, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh; Shri Arjunbhai Parmar, Deputy Information Officer, and many scientists from the agriculture department and Junagadh Agricultural University.
In his opening remarks, Dr Radhakrishnan, Director, ICAR_DGR elaborated the importance of use of groundnut as a food crop and the high oleic acid varieties Girnar-4 and Girnar-5, and also emphasized to farmers to adopt improved technologies to double the farm income. There was a special lecture on Soil test-based groundnut farming and its impact on soil health, which was delivered by Dr Lalit Vekharia, in which the farmers were explained about the importance of soil health cards and sustainable application of nutrients for improved plant growth. 
The progressive farmers narrated their experiences in deriving addition benefits from groundnut cultivation. Thirty-three innovative farmers were honored for their innovations. Twenty four stalls of various pesticide, fertilizer and machinery companies were also set up during the event.
During the technical session, queries of farmers were addressed and resolved to their satisfaction. The program was successfully completed and concluded with vote of thanks to all the guests, farmers visited and whole DGR staff for making this program successful.
