KVK, Malyal organized “Kisan Mela cum Agricultural Exhibition on the occasion of National Farmers Day- 2024” as part of the CICR Special Project on Cotton, “Targeting technologies to agro- ecological zones-Large scale demonstration of best practices to enhance cotton productivity’’ under NFSM (2024-25) at KVK, Malyal premises on 23-12-2024. The programme started with inauguration of agricultural exhibition by Dr. Shaik N. Meera, Director of ICAR, ATARI (Zone – X), Hyderabad, Dr. B. Jamuna Rani, Director of Extension, PJTAU, Hyderabad and Dr. R. Uma Reddy, ADR, RARS, Warangal. Later the dignitaries visited all the stalls. Dr. N. Kishore Kumar, SMS (Extension) invited all the guests on to the dais. Dr. S. Malathi, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Malyal explained the significance of the programme, explained about, ICAR-CICR Special Project on cotton objectives. Few farmers who had taken up cotton under HDPS during 2024-25 shared their experiences with the technology and gave positive feedback. Dr. Shaik N. Meera, Director of ICAR, ATARI (Zone – X), Hyderabad acted as Chief Guest for the programme. While addressing the gathering, he remarked that Mahabubabad farmers should give importance to the formation of FPO’s and Cooperative societies to get collective enhanced benefits rather than smaller benefits through individualistic approach. Similarly young educated farmers from the district should start custom hiring centers for improving farm mechanization involving medium and heavy machinery, to address labour shortage. He requested the farmers to “think out of the box” and cultivate non conventional crops like, Avocado, Vanilla, Dragon fruit, Soap nut, etc,. Keeping in the view of the climatic conditions of Mahabubabad farmers should give importance for promoting sheep rearing and other novel and sustainable concepts. Dr. B. Jamuna Rani, Director of Extension, PJTAU, Hyderabad addressed the gathering on significance of Kisan Diwas and reiterated that every year National Farmers day is being celebrated on 23rd December to recognize the role of farmers in our economy. She emphasized the importance of sustainable farming practices like, Natural farming, organic farming, use of eco -friendly agro inputs like microbial pesticides, organic based fertilizers. She also suggested farmers to adopt business mindset, focusing on profitability and market strategies to enhance the sustainability and success of their agricultural ventures. Dr. R. Uma Reddy, Associate Director of Research, CTZ, RARS, Warangal remarked that farmers should aim at increasing their net income levels rather than mere yield levels and shall adopt sustainable agricultural practices for the well being of themselves and also Mother Earth. Dr. G. Veeranna, Principal Scientist (Cotton), RARS, Warangal explained about concept of HDPS Cotton, sowing time, machine sowing through pneumatic planter, importance of timely application of growth regulator. Dr. G. Venkanna, Principal Scientist (Pl.Br), RARS, Warangal explained about tips for Yasangi rice cultivation for better yields., Sri A. Prashanth, Scientist, (Pl. Path) HRS, Malyal also explained about integrated pest management practices in Chilli. In this programme, Dr. Rajanna, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Mamnoor, KVK Scientists – Dr. N. Kishore Kumar, SMS (Extension), Dr. E. Rambabu, SMS (Horticulture), Sri B. Kranthi Kumar, SMS (Crop Production), Department officers- Smt. M. Vijaya Nirmala, DAO, Mahabubabad, Sri J. Mariyanna, DHSO, Mahabubabad, Sri V. Vijay Chandra, ADA, Maripeda, A. Srinivasarao, ADA, Mahabubabad, 6 Mandal agricultural officers, 58 AEOs of Mahabubabad district, 02 young professionals of the project and 609 farmers/ farm women participated in the programme on this occasion. On this occasion 33 stalls on different agriculture technologies and products were showcased for the benefit of participant farmers. Also, a brochure in Telugu “Adhika Sandratha Pratti tharuvatha veskodagina Aruthadi Pantalu” (Suitable ID crops subsequent to HDPS Cotton)” was released by the dignitaries. On this occasion of Kisan Diwas, few progressive farmers were felicitated by the dignitaries. Also Demonstration unit of Vermicompost, New Soil Testing Laboratory and a facility for Farmers field school was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. Shaik N. Meera, Director of ICAR, ATARI (Zone – X), Hyderabad and other dignitaries.
Read more: https://www.pjtsau.edu.in/kisan-mela-national-farmers-day-2024-pjtau.html
