KISAN MELA CUM AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kampasagar, successfully organized a “Kisan Mela Cum Agricultural Exhibition 2025-26” on March 31, 2026. The event focused on the High-Density Planting System (HDPS) and Closer Spacing (CS) in cotton to empower farmers with modern agricultural practices.

Dr. K. Chandrashaker provided an overview of HDPS cotton activities at KVK Kampasagar from 2023 to 2025. He highlighted the benefits for DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) farmers and emphasized the importance of crop rotation with pulses and oilseeds to maintain soil fertility. He warned against the excessive use of Urea, citing its negative impact on soil microorganisms and groundwater.

Dr. N. Lingaiah shared insights into advanced HDPS technology used in the USA and discussed its practical effectiveness under local field conditions.

Smt. A. Ramulamma discussed the strategic advantages of HDPS cotton, such as its shorter duration which helps crops escape late-season Pink Bollworm attacks. She also provided guidance on disease identification and management.

Smt. T. Himabindu explained the suitability of specific varieties for HDPS, such as Rasi Swift, Rasi Max, Armitha, Siri, and Navaneeth, noting their high yield potential even in red sandy soils.

Sri. P. Prasad (Coromandel) advised farmers to avoid Herbicide Tolerant (HT) cotton and reduce chemical fertilizers to protect soil health for future generations. Smt. Rishitha (Horticulture Officer) explained the effectiveness and application methods of Nano-Urea and Nano-DAP.

A massive exhibition was held alongside the Mela, featuring participation from leading industry partners who showcased their latest products, equipment, and technologies:

• Seeds: Rasi Seeds, Nuziveedu Seeds.
• Fertilizers & Chemicals: Madras Fertilizers Ltd, Coromandel International Ltd, Aries Agro Pvt Ltd.
• Innovation: Marut Drones (Drone technology demonstrations), Patanjali Oil Palm.
• Machinery: Mahindra Tractors and John Deere Tractors.

The technical coordination of the event was supported by the Young Professionals (YP) of KVK Kampasagar: Lavudya Kumar (YP-II), J. Veerabhadrudu (YP-I), M. Sai Kumar (YP-I), A. Sai Priya (YP-I), G. Swathi (YP-I), and P. Susheela (YP-I).

A total of 420 farmers actively participated, engaging in direct interactive sessions with scientists to clarify doubts regarding the implementation of HDPS Cotton.