Hisar, March 23 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the Kharif Krishi Mela-2026 at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University on Monday and praised the initiative to bring farmers, scientists, and innovation together on a common platform.
The chief minister said that the fair, organized by Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU), is a symbol of farmers' hard work and scientists' foresight.
The university has made significant contributions in areas such as improved seeds, water conservation, soil health, and climate-smart agriculture, he said.
Addressing the gathering, he said that farmers must be made aware of climate change, declining water levels, and soil health.
He urged young people to adopt drones, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies in agriculture, highlighting the immense opportunities in agri-startups and food processing.
He also informed that a Nutri-Cereals Research Centre has been inaugurated in Gokulpura village in the Bhiwani district, spread over 64 acres and built at a cost of Rs 11.67 crore.
The centre will work towards developing disease- and pest-resistant varieties of millets, enhancing the shelf life of millet flour, establishing market linkages for producers, and promoting value addition. It will also develop modern processing technologies for millet-based products.
During the fair, the Chief Minister honored 42 progressive farmers, including 21 women, describing them as a source of inspiration for the state's progress.
He said that Haryana has now become the second-largest contributor to the country's food grain pool, which is a result of farmers' hard work, scientific research, and government policies.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat-2047, the Chief Minister said that farmers are the backbone of this goal.
The double-engine government is working towards transforming agriculture into a profitable enterprise and empowering farmers, he said.
He also emphasized adopting modern and sustainable farming practices to address challenges, such as declining groundwater levels, soil fertility degradation, and climate change.
