The four-day Krishi Mela organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) on its campus in Dharwad, which received an overwhelming response, concluded on Tuesday evening. According to the university, a total of 23.74 lakh people visited the farm fair in four days.

The university had installed AI cameras to record the number of footfall and the total number has been arrived at by considering registrations through QR code and spot registrations.

As per data provided by the university, the Krishi Mela received 3.65 lakh vistors on the first day (September 13).

On Sunday, it witnessed a huge crowd of 7.74 lakh. On Monday, when Chief Minister Siddramaiah formally inaugurated the event and honoured progressive farmers, there was a record crowd of 8.60 lakh people.

On the concluding day (Tuesday), 3.75 lakh people visited the agricultural fair, the university said.

Sale of seeds

The annual Krishi Mela is a much-awaited event for the farming community that buys quality seeds for the rabi season. This year, the University sold 1,141.2 quintals of rabi seeds and 245 kg of vegetable seeds.

In all, seeds worth ₹1.01 crore were sold during the farm fair. The university also sold its publications worth ₹2 lakh during the event.

Achievers tales

On the concluding day, an inspiring session was organised to celebrate and share the success stories of progressive farmers who have made significant strides in agriculture through innovative and sustainable practices.

Notable achievers Shoukatali H. Lamboonavar and Shivaleela S. Hittalmani of Dharwad district, Renuka M. Bhojannavar from Belagavi district, Basamma P. Channur from Haveri district and Shivananda Mangannavar shared their experiences.

At the concluding ceremony, winners of fruit and flower exhibition competitions were honoured along with winners of various competitions organised as part of the event.

Chief guest for the function CGM, NABARD Bengaluru, Surendra Babu termed the four-day event as Kisan Mahakumbha Mela. He emphasised the need for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to facilitate marketing of farmers produce.

Presiding over the programme, UAS Dharwad Vice-Chancellor P.L. Patil said that the Krishi Mela organised with the theme, "Soil Health and Traditional Varieties for Nutritional Food Security", succeeded in emphasising the importance of traditional varieties in providing nutritious food to the people and also, for maintaining soil health.

Directors and deans of various departments and senior faculty members were present.

Four-day Krishi Mela sees 23.74 lakh visitors