Impressed with Indian innovation in the agriculture sector, US President Barack Obama today asked entrepreneurs to take their "remarkable" work around the world.
Taking a tour of the Agriculture and Food Security Expo at St Xavier's College here, the US President displayed a keen interest in the products on display.
He went to the IFFCO Kisan Sanchar stall and enquired about how low-cost services are being extended to Indian farmers through mobile telephones using Airtel's platform.
When a company official explained to him the cost-effectiveness of the handset, the US President said: "It is a great idea. Do it across the world... Great work, keep it up."
The President tried his hands at stripping a corn cob after being inspired by a woman farmer who showcased a small agro tool.
"It reduces woman labour by 30 per cent. It is remarkable," he said, turning to lensmen covering the event.
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Earlier, as he stepped inside the venue, Obama took his tie off, feeling the Mumbai heat and humidity. Wearing a white shirt and a black trousers, he had his sleeves rolled up.
When Vandana Bhairikoppe, another farmer and facilitator of agriculture NGO Digital Green, presented him a folded wall hanging, Obama expressed his thanks and said: "I will hang it in the White House."
While shaking hands with one of the farmers dressed in traditional Maharashtrian attire at the exhibition, he said: "Very nice to see you."
At the PepsiCo stall, he picked up a big potato, turned around and asked a White House official, "Will it be expensive? What do you think?"
The President charmed the exhibitors with his down-to-earth nature and easily struck a chord with them.
The exhibition was co-organised by the US Agency for International Development Aid and Indian industry body CII.
Obama also went to a small exhibition by child rights and education NGO Pratham and signed on copies of books on Mahatma Gandhi.