Drought-resilient farming to be focus of three-day Krishi Mela

With drought conditions posing challenges to farmers in the State, the University of Agricultural Sciences, Mandya, will organise a three-day Saralikrutha Krishi Mela-2026 at V.C. Farm from November 30 to December 2. The mela focuses on drought management, natural farming, dryland agriculture and alternative cropping systems.

The farm expo aims to provide farmers with comprehensive information and practical demonstrations of agricultural technologies suited to the prevailing climatic conditions, including drought mitigation measures, natural farming practices, dryland farming techniques and alternative crops.

Around 100 exhibition stalls will be set up by various constituent units of the university, other agricultural universities in the State, government departments, research institutions, national research organisations and cooperative institutions to showcase agricultural technologies and innovations.

Seminar on El Nino

A technical seminar by experts will discuss the impact of El Niño on the State, emerging agricultural challenges, dryland farming technologies, alternative cropping plans, efficient utilisation of water in the Cauvery command area and production technologies for rabi crops.

An agricultural scientists’ advisory centre will also be established at the venue to provide on-the-spot solutions and guidance to farmers on their farming-related problems. Progressive farmers and women farmers at the district and taluk levels will be honoured with awards.

Three new crop varieties to be released

Three new crop varieties developed by the university during 2025-26 will be released at the mela. They include MSN-113 variety of paddy, MAH-20-45 variety of maize and MFC-18-10 variety of fodder cowpea. In addition, nine new agricultural technologies beneficial to farmers will also be unveiled.

Agriculture Minister P.M. Narendraswamy, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of the university, will inaugurate the mela on November 30. Water Resources Minister and Mandya district in-charge Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy will be the chief guest, while Melukote MLA Darshan Puttannaiah will preside.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Mandya, K.C. Narayanaswamy, Board of Management members, farmers from various districts and others are expected to participate.

The university, in a note, has appealed to farmers, women farmers, students and the public to attend the mela in large numbers and benefit from the demonstrations and information on improved crop varieties, drought management, natural farming and efficient water utilisation.

Published - November 12, 2026 06:27 pm IST