SHILLONG, April 27: A farmer from Shohphria village under Mawthadrashain C&RD Block, West Khasi Hills, was awarded the best farmer award during a Kisan Mela (Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari Campaign) organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, West Khasi Hills, in collaboration with Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), West Khasi Hills, under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav at the office campus.
The mela which got under way on April 25 will continue till April 30. The award of the best farmer was given to Risful Marngar by ATMA West Khasi Hills.
Various programmes including a competition organized for the exhibits brought by the farmers, prize distribution, besides technical sessions on natural farming, millets, oilseeds and biofortified crops marked the mela.
A farmer-scientist interaction was also conducted in the presence of officers from allied department who gave information and clarifications on government schemes available for farmers.
A total number of 222 farmers from West Khasi Hills along with 20 staff members of KVK and 15 staff members of ATMA attended the programme. The chief guest of the mela was Additional Deputy Commissioner, Eastern West Khasi Hills, A Nongbri, and the guest of honour was Sub Divisional Agricultural Officer (SDAO), Mairang, B Marbaniang.
Exhibition stalls were also set up for farmers and suppliers to display their produce which was later sold to the attendees of the mela.
The Kisan Mela was also conducted in West Jaintia Hills, where cash award was handed over to a progressive farmer from Sohphoh Village of Thadlaskein Block, Foster Kharsahnoh, for his achievement in mushroom production, poultry farming, pig farming and vegetable cultivation.
Training and farmer-scientist interaction was undertaken by H Papang, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection) and B Kharbamon, SMS (Horticulture), on Natural Farming, Orchard Management in fruit trees, role of bio-agent in agriculture for controlling pest and diseases.
Demonstration of various agriculture equipments such as portable solar dryer, powe-operated maize sheller, pedal paddy thresher, hand hoe and manual seeder was presented at the mela.
Maize and vegetable seeds were also distributed to the farmers. Altogether, 94 participants attended the programme which includes farmers besides the officials of the organising departments.
guest of honour was Sub Divisional Agricultural Officer (SDAO), Mairang, B Marbaniang.
Exhibition stalls were also set up for farmers and suppliers to display their produce which was later sold to the attendees of the mela.
