Maha Agro kindles entrepreneurial dream among farmers

Aurangabad: State-level agriculture fair, Maha Agro 2018, saw a glittering conclusion on Monday after an impressive response from farmers in the region.

According to the organisers, an estimated 30,000 people visited the three-day event.

The fair was inaugurated on January 5 by Assembly speaker Haribhau Bagade in presence of dairy development and fisheries development minister Mahadev Jankar and other political and industrial bigwigs.

The event was aimed at developing an entrepreneurial mindset among farmers. Various sessions were held to encourage and guide farmers to venture into agro-processing industry and less explored areas like bamboo plantation, animal husbandry and fishery business.

The issues discussed in the sessions were supported by a dynamic exhibition participated by agro industry majors, small scale businesses, self-help groups and farmers. Various stalls were put up which provided information related to seeds, saplings, farm equipment, machinery, newer tech for tilling, sowing, watering and harvesting, fresh farm produce and various processed food.

On Monday, retired chief secretary Sudhirkumar Goyal presented the valedictory address. He said that information on various products, schemes and techniques will be crucial for the growth of agriculture in the region. “We should gain from the experiences and struggle of those who have become successful in various agro areas,” said Goyal, adding that the producers from the region cannot continue to complain about the harsh geo-climatic condition and resort to water saving and cost efficient methods.

Various sessions on different vital issues were held on the final day. Vilas Shinde from Nashiks Sahyadri Farms, Abhinav Farmers Club, Pune, founder Dnyaneshwar Bokhde, K Tripathi of National Horticulture Board, former agriculture commissioner Krushna Lavhekar and Shankarrao Nagare enlightened the farmers on various issues.

Stalls representing different wings of the state government like fisheries, dairy, silk production, Maharashtra Seeds Corporation Limited, Mahrashtra Agro Industries, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao sensitised farmers about various government schemes, credit system, subsidies and marketing platforms. The stalls on organic farming, organically developed seeds received a significant response at the fair.

During the recent pink bollworm attack on genetically modified cotton crop, the cotton farmers suffered a major loss. Sillod MLA Abdul Sattar, who has been a witness to agitation by farmers, visited the fair on Monday. He said that the government had said that even if 30% of crop is lost due to pest attack, it will compensate the growers but the pest has spoiled 70% of the crop and so the government will have to live up to its assurance.

A team of experts from Marathwada Agriculture University is being formed to assess the damage. The agriculture department will scrutinise the report compiled by them following which compensation will be provided, Sattar informed.


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