ICAR-KrishiVigyan Kendra (KVK), West Garo Hills organized the KisanMela ‘Citrus cum Tuber Crop Festival’ under KrishiSwarnaSamridhi Week at KVK on 13th February 2025.The program commenced with the inauguration of exhibition stalls by the Chief GuestDr. B.P. Singh, Principal Scientist and Head, DTAC, ICAR-Research Complex for North East Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya.He motivated farmers to conserve local germplasm. He also commended the role of KVK in disseminating scientific knowledge and addressing farmers' challenges. He further emphasized the need to fully utilize the rich biodiversity available in the district. Additionally, he highlighted marketing strategies for citrus and tuber crops and encouraged farmers to form Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in their villages.
        Dr.Serenebell W. Momin, District Veterinary Officer, Tura, and the Guest of Honour, addressed the participants on the cultural significance of citrus and tuber crops in Garo traditions. She also emphasized the nutritional benefits of these crops.
        Dr. H. Talang, Scientist (Fruit Science), ICAR RC for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, and Special Guest, noted that the world looks towards the biodiversity of citrus and tuber crops prevalent in the Garo Hills region. He urged farmers to focus on the conservation of local germplasm for the future and to adopt sustainable agricultural practice.
        In her welcome address, Dr. Monica Suresh Singh, Senior Scientist & Head, ICAR-KVK, West Garo Hills, welcomed all dignitaries, officials from line departments, DDK Tura, entrepreneurs, and farmers. She provided an overview of the program's significance, emphasizing the scope and prospects of citrus and tuber crops in Garo Hills and their role in augmenting farmers’ incomes. She also explained the importance of celebrating KrishiSwarnaSamridhi Week by KVKs. In the end aFarmer-Scientist Interaction session was also conducted, where farmers actively participated and received expert solutions to their queries. In addition to this an exhibition was organized to showcase various citrus and tuber species, with stalls set up by different line departments, College of Community Science (CCS), CAU, Tura and Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), West Garo Hillsfurther enriching the event. Key highlight of the exhibition was the diverse range of farm produce displayed by KVK farmers.The program saw the participation of 189 individuals from various villages of West Garo Hills, and different institution.
        Dr.Tarun Kumar Das, SMS (Agricultural Extension), ICAR-KVK, West Garo Hills, compered the program, while the Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Puja Chakraborty, SMS (Aquaculture), ICAR-KVK, West Garo Hills.
        The event was successfully coordinated by Dr. Monica Suresh Singh, Senior Scientist & Head, ICAR-KVK, West Garo Hills, along with Dr. JoyoshreeMahanta, SMS (Plant Pathology), Mr. NaoremArunkumar Singh, SMS (Soil and Water Conservation), Dr.Sagarika Borah, STO (Animal Science), Mr. Ramawatar Yadav, SMS (Vegetable Science), Ms. Priyanka Saha, SMS (Agronomy), Dr. Puja Chakraborty, SMS (Aquaculture), and Mr. Sunny Day Bareh, STO (Computer Science)