ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, organized a “Kisan Mela” on 26th October, 2024 under SC Sub-Plan. The Kisan Mela programme was held at Rythu Vedika, Kotapally Mandal, Mancherial District, Telangana.

The Chief Guest, Dr. V. K. Singh, Director, ICAR-CRIDA inaugurated the exhibitions stalls where CRIDA and IFFCO showcased their technologies. Later, he has addressed the farmers and emphasized various interventions made under SCSP.

In his address, he has highlighted various rainfed technologies for resource conservation. During the programme, Dr. T. V. Prasad, Principal Scientist & Nodal Officer, SCSP highlighted the interventions under SCSP and appreciated the cooperation from the farmers for various interventions.

Then, Dr. Visha Kumari, Senior Scientist briefed about the cropping system interventions, Dr. K. Sreedevi Shankar, Principal Scientist on the importance of millets and its value addition, Dr. Anshida Beevi, scientist about the training programmes conducted and future training plans, Dr. Jagriti Rohit, Scientist about group formation and its advantages, Dr. H.B. Santosh, Senior Scientist on biofertilizer application, Mr. B.K. Sinha, CAO some of the impacts of CRIDA interventions, Dr. A.G.K. Reddy, Senior Scientist on horticultural interventions.

Then Dr. G. Venkatesh, Principal Scientist explained on introduction of bamboo and teak in the area and Er. Ashish stressed on role of farm mechanization in the context of shortage of agricultural labour. Mr. Narsimha, AAO urged the farmers to cooperate with SCSP team and get maximum benefit through the programme, Mr. B. Prasad, ADA, Kotapally Mandal also attended the programme and acknowledged the efforts of CRIDA SCSP team. Later, Director has distributed biofertilizers, fruit saplings, teak and bamboo to the beneficiaries.

After that, Director, ICAR-CRIDA along with team members monitored various interventions under SCSP such as greengram field where the first crop was washed out due to flood.

Then the team has visited Custom Hiring Centre (CHC) established at Venchapally Village followed by Director has inaugurated the permanent display board at Supaka village. About 300 farmers from the SCSP adopted villages participated in the programme.