Krishi Mela to focus on integrated farming

Integrated farming system is the way forward for farmers now vulnerable to unpredictable rains and abrupt seasonal shifts, experts say.

Krishi Mela 2015, with focus on integrated farming, serve as a platform for them to find solutions to problems pertaining to agriculture.

A week ahead of the Mela, to be organised at the Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra (GKVK) campus in Bengaluru on November 19, farmers and self-help groups are already vying for space to set up stalls.

Malavalli resident Jayasheela, who is hoping to acquire a stall for her self-help group at the Mela, told Deccan Herald: “We cultivate maize and marketing is a huge problem for us. We hope to secure orders by taking part in the Mela.”

The Mela will be a display of the vast undercurrents of the market, with numerous stakeholders, including buyers, sellers of farm equipment, scientists, research and development organisations, taking part in it, said Dr K Jagadeeshwara, Director of Extension, the University of Agricultural Sciences.

“It is not just the farmers or the sellers of the produce. A lot of people are directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. The Krishi Mela will bring together all these stakeholders,” he said.

Through the Mela, the university would develop a database to link producers with buyers, he added.

Live demo
An exclusive feature of the Krishi Mela this time will be a demonstration on integrated farming in 2.5 acres of wetland and another 2.5 acres in dryland. “The mono crop system is leading to farmer suicides. By balancing agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry in the land, a farmer can achieve sustainable produce which would guarantee him at least Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 income per month. There would be no need to wait for rains,” Jagadeeshwara explained.

“We want to emphasise on food security. This time, the stress will be more on farmers interacting with other stakeholders rather than limiting to interactions with scientists,” he said.