BENGALURU, 16 NOV

Even the rains could not deter the hordes of people flocking to Krishimela 2024 inside the sprawling 1,320-acre campus of University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Bengaluru, popularly known as the GKVK Campus, late on Friday evening.

The outgoing crowd, clutching an assortment of saplings and other goodies, only spurred the incoming visitors to quicken their pace. They were eager to catch the annual celebration of all things agriculture, organised by UAS since 1966.

With the mela running until 17 November, the Bengaluru Traffic Police has already issued an advisory anticipating larger crowds over the weekend.

The theme of this year’s event, 'Climate Smart Digital Agriculture', focused on sustainable, innovative practices to tackle climate challenges. The mela underscored the role of agricultural universities in sparking interest on farming in youth, and driving economic growth in the sector.

“About 2 lakh people are expected to visit on Saturday and Sunday. So, there will be slow-moving traffic between Byatarayanapura junction and the Jakkur stretch. Plan your journey accordingly,” stated the police advisory released on 15 November.

On Friday, visitors thronged nearly 700 stalls showcasing innovations aimed at reducing farmers' workloads, such as drones and cultivators.

While most stalls catered to large-scale farmers, the fair also featured crowd favourites like massage devices and innovative kitchen gadgets.

For many, attending Krishimela feels like "visiting a village fair." However, for 36-year-old YC Shantamma from Kagallahalli in Ramanagara, this year’s fair was life-changing. “I won the State-level Young Best Farm Woman award. It’s an honour I can flaunt in my village for years,” said a beaming Shantamma. The award, she added, serves as inspiration for further innovation. –PTI