ICAR - Central Arid Zone Research Institute

A Kisan Mela and farm innovation day was organized at ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur on September 24, 2015. The Kisan Mela was inaugurated by honourable Sh. Joga Ramji Patel, M.L.A., Luni Tehsil, Jodhpur. Prof. B. R. Chhipa, Vice-Chancellor, SKRAU, Bikaner was the guest of honour on the occasion. About 2350 farmers including 700 farm women and other stakeholders from Western Rajasthan participated in the Kissan Mela. During the event an exhibition was also organized, in which an Unified stall by CAZRI and 46 stalls were put up by other ICAR institutes including Project Directorate of Rape Seed and Mustard, Bharatpur; CSWRI, Avikanagar, NRC on Seed Spices, Ajmer; various Central and State government agriculture, animal husbandry and line departments; innovative farmers; NGOs and private organizations. Farmers were taken around the CAZRI farm to apprise them about different technologies and services developed and disseminated by CAZRI.

A Kisan Gosthi was organized to provide an opportunity for farmers and scientists to interact and discuss various problems concerning agriculture and animal husbandry. Shri Joga Ramji Patel applauded the research and extension efforts undertaken by the institute for the benefit of the farming community. He urged farmers to make best use of scientific advancement in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry to get maximum productivity per unit of input. Further he mentioned that farmers’ wisdom and experience must be blended with science to develop location specific and useful technologies. Prof. B. R. Chhipa, Vice-Chancellor, SKRAU, Bikaner appreciated the contribution of CAZRI in the development of agriculture, livestock production and natural resource management in arid region. He advised farmers to diversify the traditional agriculture by adopting modern technologies. Dr. A. K. Misra, Director, CAZRI highlighted the various technologies and services developed by CAZRI and the importance of the transfer of technologies to farmers. He mentioned that institute is giving top priority on development of low cost, sustainable and practically adoptable technologies. Two extension programmes namely “ICAR-CAZRI Model Village Project” and “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav Initiative” for livelihood security of farmers are taken up by the institute. Earlier, Dr. Pratibha Tewari, Head of Division of TOT, Training and Production Economics and Organizing Secretary of Kisan Mela welcomed the chief guests and farmers and highlighted the efforts of CAZRI for improving dissemination of technologies and capacity building of farmers and farm women. On the occasion, extension folders on crops of arid region were also released. Ten innovative farmers were felicitated for their outstanding innovations in agriculture and livestock and their dissemination in the region. Best crop produce competition was organized as part of the mela and thirteen farmers were awarded. Sh. Rewat Ram Meghwal, SMS, KVK CAZRI Jodhpur presented vote of thanks.

(Source: ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur)