A 3-day mega event of National Horticulture Fair 2024 organised at ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru from 5th March 2024 concluded on 7th March 2024, with the gracious presence of Ms. Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Govt. of India.
The Minister, stated that the farmers are eager to see the variety of fruit, vegetable, flower, and medicinal crops displayed, as the country transitioned from a food grain deficit to surplus production during the green revolution. Horticultural crop production in the country has surpassed food grain production, ensuring nutritional security. Ms. Karandlaje emphasized the importance of adopting climate-resilient crop varieties and technologies to help farmers sustain production in adverse conditions. She urged farmers to focus on value addition to meet international demand. The Minister highlighted central government schemes and financial support for farmers and women empowerment. She expressed concerns about pesticide residue rejections and the need to raise awareness among farmers. She also highlighted the use of advanced technologies like drones, high-yielding varieties, and high-density planting systems to make farming more profitable. These measures aim to meet the growing global demand for Indian produce.
Dr. Prakash Patil, Director (Acting), ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, welcomed over 70,000 visitors from 22 states at the NHF 2024 fair. The event featured various service providers, including police, law, and order, traffic police, fire safety, ambulance service, etc.
Smt. Jiksy Raphael, Deputy General Manager, NABARD, Smt. Rohini Sindhuri, IAS, Special Secretary, Food Processing & Harvest Technology, Govt. of Karnataka, Shri. Ramesh D.S. IAS, Director of Horticulture, Govt. of Karnataka, and Dr. V.B. Patel, Assistant Director General (Fruits &Plantation Crops), ICAR, were the guests of honor for the valedictory session.
The concluding programme included publications on ICAR-IIHR’s 248 cutting-edge technologies and ‘Cocoponics: A futuristic soilless vegetable production system’. Additionally. Two MoUs were exchanged with IIIT, Sricity, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, and Tancoir, Government of Tamil Nadu.
(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru)
Read more: https://icar.org.in/national-horticulture-fair-2024-icar-iihr-bengaluru-concludes
