PREAMBLE. Shivarathrishwara Shivayogi Jathra Mahotsava, around the harvest festival

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1 KRISHIMELA K R I S H I M E L A : R E P O R T Krishimela is an annual cultural festival for the farmers. Demonstration of over 150 different crops, agri exhibition of agril., inputs and technologies on offer by departments of agriculture, horticulture, sericulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, state agricultural universities, ICAR and private input traders etc., one-acre IFS model demonstrating principles of self-reliance for small and marginal farmers and exhibition of indigenous livestock breeds are the regular features.

2 PREAMBLE Krishimela is organized in Suttur every year. It is an event organized to sensitize farmers on frontier technologies and for creating a marketplace for various stakeholders to come together and exchange information and products. It has become a very special event for farmers of the region. Krishimela is organized by the ICAR JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) as part of the annual Adijagadguru Sri Shivarathrishwara Shivayogi Jathra Mahotsava, around the harvest festival Sankranti. It is different from the Krishimelas organized by the State Agricultural Universities (SAU) in that it is organized outside the normal crop growing seasons, such as Kharif or Rabi; hundreds of crops and varieties are grown and synchronized exclusively for live demonstration on the occasion. The Krishimela in Suttur gets richer with religious, cultural, social and educational dimensions added by various organizations, including JSS group of institutions. Apparently, the Krishimela of ICAR JSS KVK has an identity of its own, not only in Mysuru region but across the state of Karnataka and beyond. Krishimela is organized between December and February months, every year. ICAR JSS KVK prepares a livecrop demonstration for the occasion by growing a wide range of crops ranging from 40 days to 3 month-duration. The event involves three-month preparation and constant care. Display of a wide range of crops in full bloom is the major attraction for the visitors, be it farmers, students or the enthusiasts interested in farming. The live-crop demos apart, the KVK arranges display and demonstration of various other agricultural technologies and inputs in the agricultural exhibition. Seminars and competitions are also organized for farmers. Progressive farmers, agricultural scientists, officers of agriculture and rural development departments, representatives from private input agencies, corporate and non-government organizations, people s representatives and religious leaders take part in Krishimela. Thus, with the diversity in crops grown, diversity of programmes Page 1

3 organized and the diversity among participants, the Krishimela becomes a unique marketplace for farmers and all other stakeholders. KRISHIMELA 2017 The Krishimela was organized this year from 24 to 29 January 2017, in Srikshetra Suttur. The Mela was inaugurated in the gracious presence of Sri Shivarathri Jaya Rajendra Swamiji on the evening of 24 th January by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the presence of the Minister for Rural Development, H. K. Patil, Member of Parliament R. Dhruvanarayan and many other dignitaries. The Mela was laid out on about three acres of area, including one acre of live-crop demonstration plot, oneacre model of Integrated Farming System (IFS) and the agri-expo. THE CROP DIVERSITY It is always the endeavor of the KVK to make Krishimela more exciting and fascinating every year. Innovations always matter when it comes to impressing the visitors. For instance, the one-acre IFS model, though is a regular feature meant for demonstrating the principles of self-reliance, especially for the small and marginal farmers, the visitors expect something new every year. This time, the IFS model had 100 different crops and 5 allied activities. The crop diversity included cereals, minor millets, pulses, oilseeds, medicinal and aromatic plants, commercial crops, forage crops and also agro-forestry species. Similarly, the live-crop cafeteria displayed 80 different horticultural crops including native backyard vegetables as well as the exotic vegetables grown under protected cultivation. On account of the district facing severe drought this year, emphasis was given to demonstrating such crops and varieties that require less water such as minor millets and dry land crops like pulses. Farmers from Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts exhibited cattle breeds viz., Devani, Sahiwal, Gir, Malnad Gidda and Hallikar, Murra buffalo, Thalchery and Jamnapari goat breeds, Bandur sheep rabbit, and Turkey birds. Ornamental fish species Page 2

4 attracted the devotees and farmers. Many farmers enquired about seeds, seedlings, breeds, plant protection advisories from the KVK Scientists. The Agri-Exhibition, for the first time, exceeded 100 stalls. As many as 140 stalls were set up and were occupied by 120 different institutions and individuals. The Agri-Exhibition had display of an array of seeds, fertilizers, pest and disease management inputs, products and market information related to various crops, state-of-the-art technologies, specimens and models. UAS, Bangalore, Dharwad, UAS, Raichur, UHS, Bagalkot, development departments such as agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fishery, sericulture, Zilla Panchayat, private agencies and SHGs had put up stalls to promote their respective products and services. Select farmers also displayed their collection of indigenous paddy varieties, minor millets and other crops. NABARD extended generous support to 10 of these stalls. AGRI SEMINAR THE RICH FOOD : MINOR MILLETS A seminar was organized on the topic The Rich Food: Minor Millets on to spread the growing importance of minor millets in our daily diet and as health food for people suffering from lifestyle related problems. The seminar was inaugurated by Sri Atmanandaji Maharaj, President, Sri Ramakrishna Ashram, Mysuru. Swamiji called on the farmers to grow millets on large scale highlighting the fact that even if they do not get attractive price for their produce, they would still benefit from the crop since millets can be grown with minimum care on least fertile soils without much investment, which is a safeguard for farmers under the changing climatic conditions. The chief guest of this programme, Dr. M. G. Chandrakant, Director, Institute of Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru, said the millets may not be the most delicious foods but are certainly the healthiest foods. Dr. P. M. Salimath, Vice Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, in his speech said instead of importing food from foreign countries we should rather consume homegrown foods made of millets which are rich Page 3

5 in iron and calcium by which one can overcome and keep under check the problems like Diabetes and Blood Pressure. Former minister Leelavati R. Prasad also reiterated that the nutrition-minerals-energy rich millets are indeed rich foods that require minimum investment on part of farmers. Speaking at the valedictory session of the seminar the central minister D. V. Sadanand Gowda expressed concern about the migration of young farmers to urban areas. Padmabhushan Dr. M. Mahadevappa, Director- Rural Development, JSS Mahavidyapeetha, and many other agriculture experts and farmers participated in the seminar. Three publications, Nutrition Garden, Green Manure Crops for Improving Soil Fertility, and How to Identify Spurious Fertilizers, were released on the occasion. The emerging challenges, opportunities and the various dimensions of agriculture were also discussed. Baba Ramdev Guruji, Founder, Patanjali Yogapeetha, Haridwar, visited the IFS model, especially the minor millet plots and graced the valedictory programme of the Krishimela along with His Holiness Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji. CONCLUSION The farmers visiting Krishimela sought for seeds, inputs and more information regarding various crops and received guidance from the KVK technical staff. About three lakh visitors witnessed the Krishimela and appreciated the diversity of crops, technologies, agencies and events. Thousands of students obtained practical Page 4

6 knowledge, especially regarding many unseen and unheard-of crops. The one-acre IFS model was particularly appreciated by many visitors and the entire Krishimela received excellent media attention. The Om symbol decorated by ornamental crops, flowers and the Selfie garden turned out to be the special attractions to many visitors which witnessed thousands of selfie photos. The Krishimela was an occasion that served many purposes introducing new crops, varieties, technologies and agro products for farmers, learning by doing for the staff of KVK, unfolding crop and biodiversity before the children, inducing interest in farming among urbanites and offering a platform for the people s representatives and religious leaders to express their concerns and interest in farming and farmers. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS JSS KVK, on behalf of its host organization JSS Mahavidyapeetha, acknowledges and appreciates the generous support extended by NABARD, in organizing the Krishimela. Page 5

7 KRISHIMELA IN PICTURES Live Crops Page 6

8 One-acre IFS Model Page 7

9 Indigenous Livestock Breeds Page 8

10 Agri Exhibition Stalls Page 9

11 NABARD SPONSORED STALLS Page 10

12 NABARD SPONSORED STALLS Page 11