Siraj Hussain, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, Union Ministry of Agriculture said "the fair will help in inclusive development of the agricultural sector in India."
Hussain said that in the rest of the country, the number of small and marginal farmers is increasing, while in Punjab, the trend is in the reverse.
"In the last one decade, about 1.28 lakh farmers in Punjab have leased out their land to big farmers. Another 72,000 farmers sold their land to large farmers, which is cause of grave concern for the state.
"If Punjab wants to make agriculture sustainable, the state will have to focus on diversification," a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) release quoting the official said.
Hussain said that FDI would provide better agriculture practices and new technology to Indian agri community.
Farmers from Nepal, Netherlands and Australia are expected to attend the four-day agro fair.
