ICAR- Directorate of Groundnut Research -Junagadh, organised a Kisan mela and exhibition for the groundnut farmers of Saurashtra region on 4^th February, 2020 with the financial support from DAC. The mela was attended by more than 850 farmers which included over 200 women farmers. The main emphasis of the mela was to provide information and guidance to the farmers about the use of various chemical fertilizers in groundnut crops on the basis of soil testing.

Dr. Chetan Trivedi, Vice Chancellor, Bhaktakavi Narasimh Mehta University, Junagadh, was the chief guest of the programme, and other dignitaries present were Shri Jitendra Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, DAC, New Delhi, Dr. Pramod Mohanot, ADR, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Dr. N.K. Gontia, Principal Agriculture Engineering Faculty Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh; Dr. Mohan A. Vadodariya, Principal, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh; Shri Arjunbhai Parmar, Deputy Information Officer, and many scientists from the agriculture department and Junagadh Agricultural University.

In his opening remarks, Dr Radhakrishnan, Director, ICAR_DGR elaborated the importance of use of groundnut as a food crop and the high oleic acid varieties Girnar-4 and Girnar-5, and also emphasized to farmers to adopt improved technologies to double the farm income. There was a special lecture on Soil test-based groundnut farming and its impact on soil health, which was delivered by Dr Lalit Vekharia, in which the farmers were explained about the importance of soil health cards and sustainable application of nutrients for improved plant growth. The progressive farmers narrated their experiences in deriving addition benefits from groundnut cultivation. Thirty-three innovative farmers were honoured for their innovations. Twenty four stalls of various pesticide, fertilizer and machinery companies were also set up during the event.

During the technical session, queries of  farmers were addressed and resolved to their satisfaction. The program was successfully completed and concluded with vote of thanks to all the guests, farmers visited and whole DGR staff for making this program successful.

DGR organized Kisan Diwas under Swachhata Pakhwada programme on 23.12.2019

This directorate organized Kisan Diwas under Swachhata Pakhwada on 23.12.2019. Sixty four farmers (Male: 52; Female: 12) from Ivnagar, Mithapur and Aalidra villages of Junagadh district had participated in this programme. During this programme following lectures were delivered by different experts on plastic waste management to save animals from consuming it, Plastic se raksha, quality seed production and recommended varieties for Gujarat, integrated insect and disease management in groundnut. This programme was coordinated by Dr. Narendra Kumar, Scientist, Plant Breeding; Dr. Ananth Kurella, Scientist, Pathology; Dr. SD Savliya, ACTO; Sh. PV Zala, ACTO; Sh. BM Chikani, ACTO and Sh. CB. Patel, Technical Officer.

Kisan Mela-cum-Exhibition organised at ICAR-DGR on the 40^th Foundation day

A Kisan Mela cum exhibition has been organized at ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh on 1^st October 2019 in commemoration of 40^th Foundation Day of the Directorate. About 750 farmers including 200 women farmers and staff of the institute participated in the Kisan Mela cum exhibition. Dr T Radhakrishnan, Director, ICAR-DGR welcomed the gathering and briefed the purpose of this mela.  The Asst. Director of Agriculture, Sh. Chavada, Junagadh, Dr NK Gontia, Principal and Dean, College of Agricultural Engg. & Technology, JAU, Junagadh, Dr VV Rajani, Director of Extension Education, JAU, Junagadh were the special guests and Dr JB Misra, former Director DGR, Junagadh and Technical Advisor, IOPEPC, Mumbai was the Chief Guest of the function.

Twenty eight stalls were put up by different agencies/firms which depicted micro-irrigation systems, submersible pumps, farm machines, improved Groundnut varieties bred by Public (ICAR-DGR, BARC, SAUs of different states and JAU), Private Groundnut Seed Firms, New molecules for control of major groundnut pests and diseases, micro-nutrients and from Petroleum Conservation Agency.

 The major theme of the Mela was ‘Jal Shakti. Two lectures were arranged for the benefit of the farmers. The first one was ‘Jal Shakti: Promotion of Irrigation Efficiency and Water Conservation Measures’ delivered by  Dr NK Gontia, Principal and Dean, College of Agricultural Engg. & Technology, JAU, Junagadh, and the second was on ‘Use of Bio-control Agents for Increasing Groundnut Productivity and Farmers Income’ delivered by Dr DM Jethva, Assoc. Prof. Bio-Control Lab, JAU, Junagadh. Each lecture was followed by an interactive session on the topics delivered.

Farmers have shared their experiences in high productivity cultivation of groundnut. The live specimens were also exhibited by the farmers. Finally the famers were honoured for their best exhibits of technologies, crop husbandry which resulted in higher yields.

Finally, the meeting ended with a vote of thanks.