NIRD to showcase rural techs at six-day mela from Nov 8

NIRD through this exhibition aims to encourage greater interaction, fuel innovation among rural folks

The National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), under the aegis of the Ministry of Rural Development, expects 27 states to showcase various rurally-originating  technologies across 250 stalls at its six-day annual ‘Rural Technology Mela’ from November 8.

The national-level exhibition-cum-sales event will see participation from farmers, artisans, rural technocrats, farm mechanisation promoters, self-help groups (SHGs), agri innovators in water-shed development and water harvesting, and National Innovation Foundation (NIF).

State-wise, Andhra Pradesh would be represented across more than 50 stalls, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan both 15 each, West Bengal at 14, Assam 12, Maharashtra 8 and the remaining from other states. Officials noted there had been a steady rise in participation from the Northeast states every year.

To encourage greater interaction and fuel innovation in rural folks, the NIRD started organising the event bi-annually from this year. In February this year, 23 states participated with 160 stalls.

“The institute would look to work with young innovators and those from agriculture universities to generate renewable technologies useful at the farm level and integrated village development,” said MV Rao, director general, NIRD.

As part of this, the institute was instrumental in developing the solar sprayer used in the removal of weeds in farm fields. “The institute had funded the work of Sangappa, a final year agri-engineering graduate of the Agriculture Engineering College, Raichur, in developing this,” said Rao. Sangappa will also exhibit his innovation at the event.