The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi, is set to host a substantial three-day Regional Agricultural Fair at its Shahanshahpur campus from February 3rd to 5th, 2024. The fair, which promises to be a mega event, will welcome the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, as the chief guest. The event will also feature prominent figures like the Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, and several senior ICAR officials.
According to the Director of IIVR, Dr. Tushar Kanti Behera, the fair aims to promote human health and farmer prosperity through innovative agricultural practices. The event will cover a wide range of topics, including agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, advanced vegetable cultivation, polyhouse farming, high-tech nurseries, organic farming, and processing. Technical sessions will address crucial areas like value addition, agricultural mechanization, drone technology, and pest and disease management, providing a platform for agricultural experts nationwide to engage with farmers.
The fair is organized in collaboration with the Association for Promotion of Innovation in Vegetables, ICAR, the State Government, and various government and private entities. A highlight of the event is the vegetable exhibition, alongside the display and sale of agricultural inputs and implements by various organizations. The fair will host dignitaries from state and central governments, universities, ICAR institutes, agri-business institutes, companies, and over 5,000 farmers from six different states.
Dr. Behera highlighted the significant achievements in Indian agriculture, including a record production of 330 million tonnes of food grains and 350 million tonnes of horticultural produce in 2022-23. He emphasized the contributions of farmers, policymakers, scientists, and various stakeholders in making India self-reliant in food production and a player in the global agricultural export market. He also stressed the importance of addressing challenges like climate change, storage, marketing, processing, and self-employment in agriculture for future food and nutrition security.
The IIVR, established in Varanasi in 1999, is India’s only institute entirely dedicated to vegetable research. It focuses on developing new vegetable varieties, cultivation technologies, and effective pest and disease control methods. To date, the institute has developed 76 open-pollinated and 12 hybrid vegetable varieties and is involved in the production of seeds for improved varieties. The technologies developed at the institute are disseminated to farmers through various means, including front line demonstrations, seminars, training, and farmer fairs. Dr. Behera invites local farmers to participate in the fair and gain insight into advanced agricultural practices.