For four days, all roads led to UAS

Krishi Mela had all you could ask for: Business for farmers and fun for families

As lakhs of farmers and entrepreneurs from related industries thrashed out ideas and business solutions for scientific and optimum yield producing methods, their family and friends had a much fun and frolic at the Krishi Mela-2010.

The unprecedented response to the Krishi Mela-2010 reached its crescendo on Sunday when it appeared as if the entire agricultural universe of Karnataka had descended on the 1,250-acre expanse of the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS).

The four-day mega event witnessed nearly 540-odd stalls being set up for imparting knowledge and for concluding business in saplings, pipes, tractors, manure and other agricultural products. The UAS officials estimate that turnover worth Rs 1.8 crore took place over the four days, mostly related to the sale of tractors.

With a record 1.5 lakh people attending the Mela every day, sale of stuffed toys, cotton candy and eateries were in massive numbers. On Sunday, the concluding day, scores of people were found enjoying a sumptuous picnic at the UAS campus. While children ran around in the mela, parents took some time out to bask in the sun and look at the various agricultural products on display.

People were seen haggling over prices with stall owners who did roaring business. From Hitachi saw machines to Lonavala Chikkies, there was enough  attraction for people of all age groups. Some book vendors from the famous Avenue Road set up a book festival for students participating in the Mela either as volunteers or delegates.

Rafiq, a streetside leather belt seller said in every Krishi Mela he had a fixed spot. “We do a lot of business here every year at the Krishi Mela. You will either find me here or just down this stretch,” he added hoping to woo customers.

Gangadhar who had set up stall on behalf of Secon Agriventures Pvt Ltd said that the melas such as this provided biggest market for agricultural products. Selling tissue culture saplings at five rupees each, people were given an extra sapling for buying four. “We have seen increased business every year at these Krishi Melas. There was great curiosity among people over the high-yielding G9 bananas,” he added.

According to UAS statistics, people arrived to the Mela by nearly 40,000 cars and 37,000 two-wheelers. “We even received a few foreign delegates from Germany and China,” a UAS professor said.