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Development Support Centre Ahmedabad and its partner farmers federations organised Krishi Melas at Modasa and Visnagar towns of North Gujarat under RBS Foundation assisted LEPNRM project in March 2010. The Modasa programme was held on 10th-11th, March 20

The Farmers Organisation, Kisan Clubs, Watershed Associations, Water Users Associatioins, Producer Companies  and women SHGs, set demonstration models/ stalls on various farmer managed  technologies that help in cost reduction, risk mitigation, productivity enhancement, value addition and marketing in agriculture. The FOs displayed various demo models on vermi compost, low cost drip irrigation system, seed processing, potato contract farming, farm implements, PIM, watershed, green house, spice and ginger processing, kitchen garden, soil testing etc. The soil and water testing mobile van was also demonstrated on this occasion. Some reputed private companies were also participated in the mela with their stalls like mini tractors, seeds, organic inputs, micro irrigation systems etc. Print and a/v communication material was also distributed to the visiting farmers in the Mela.

More than 50 individual farmers and some Farmers Organisations were honoured by DSC and RBS Foundation for exemplary initiatives in agriculture, watershed management and PIM on this occasion.

Another mela was also organized at Modasa organized by DSC and irrigation societies. This was inaugurated by District Officer, Sanjaybhai Joshi and chaired by the District Agriculture Officer. The Collector, Deputy Sabarkantha also paid brief visit to the Mela. The main focus was on enhancement of agriculture production by using lesser seeds and get more production - for example rice crop. Other displays were conservation of rain water i.e. rainwater harvesting, usage of vermin-compost, women¡¯s credit and saving schemes.  Many people including farmers from villages such as Malpur, Meghraj, Dhansura, Himatnagar etc. attended this mela. The agriculture experts also shared their expertise and knowledge about how to increase production, mitigation of risk and expenses, value added crops and the good management of marketing. To make success of this mela, too much efforts were put in by the DSC team leader Shri Chandrakant Patel, Mazum and Gujarat Irrigation Society, Sangam Mahila Saving Mandul and Dhangovan Watershed Mandal.  Mr Joshi was very much overwhelmed by such mela and considered DSC¡¯s efforts as revolutionary in enhancing the crops production.

Both the programmes were received well by the farmers, government departments and private companies. About 4,200 farmers including men and women participated in Modasa and more than 13,000 farmers participated in Visnagar from 150 villages.

The local press and electronic media such as E TV, Doordarshan and Divya Bhaskar, covered news of both the programmes.

The Govt. officers liked the concept of Krishi Mela wherein the progressive farmers display their best practise rather than private companies and departments. They said that this mela is more live than the  other typical Krishi Mahotsavs.