The two-day Krishi Udyam Mela 2025 began with grandeur at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chatra, Jharkhand, marking a new chapter in the district’s agricultural development. The event aims to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers by eliminating middlemen and establishing direct communication between producers and national-level buyers.
Over 40 exhibition stalls were set up by various departments, including Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Horticulture, Land Conservation, JSLPS, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra. These stalls showcased government schemes and agricultural products. More than 10 agricultural experts and over 30 national buyer companies including Amul, Reliance, Suvidha Mart, and Tokari Fresh participated in the event.
Digital Integration for Farmer Empowerment
The inauguration also saw the launch of two digital platforms — the Jan Shikayat Portal and the Lok Setu Portal. These aim to provide a streamlined digital grievance redressal system and online access to various schemes. Citizens can now track their complaints and avail services digitally.
Guests were welcomed with saplings and shawls as a token of appreciation. Representatives from Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and corporate buyers were also felicitated for their contributions.
Voice from the Fields
Progressive farmer Uday Dangi from Bakchumba village, Kanha Chatti Block, shared that events like these help farmers connect with broader markets and modern farming practices.
District Council Vice President Brij Kishore Tiwari emphasized the importance of such initiatives in offering alternative livelihood options. He urged the youth to move away from opium cultivation and focus on floriculture, horticulture, and vegetable farming instead. The administration continues to run extensive public awareness campaigns in this regard.
The event was graced by Zishan Qamar, Director of Animal Husbandry, Government of Jharkhand; Deputy Commissioner Kirtishree; Deputy Development Commissioner Amarendra Kumar Sinha; Additional Collector Arvind Kumar; Sub-Divisional Officers Sunny Raj (Simaria) and Zahoor Alam (Chatra); along with other departmental officials, farmers, and institutions.
Zishan Qamar praised Chatra’s tradition of tomato farming and said the government is connecting farmers with technology, training, and markets to revolutionize the agricultural sector.
In her keynote speech, Deputy Commissioner Kirtishree said the mela is more than a showcase — it is a platform for the farmers’ dedication, innovation, and resilience. She added that the event promotes key initiatives like Vocal for Local and One District One Product. The mela integrates allied sectors such as agriculture, dairy, fisheries, and food processing under one roof, with support from NABARD, JSLPS, and various state departments.
Chatra’s Agricultural Strength
She highlighted that out of Chatra’s 3,94,290 hectares of land, 88,700 hectares are cultivable. The district is known for its production of paddy, wheat, maize, pulses, oilseeds, and key vegetables. Blocks like Simaria, Gidhaur, Itkhori, Hunterganj, and Pratappur have become vegetable hubs. Farmers are supported through schemes like Crop Relief, Loan Waiver, Birsa Village Scheme, RKVY, and Food Security Mission. Fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and machinery are now supplied using blockchain technology to ensure transparency and reliability.
More than 2,000 soil tests have been conducted this year under the Soil Health Card initiative to help farmers understand land fertility. Under the ATMA scheme, farmers have been sent on exposure visits to agricultural research institutes in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
Dairy Development and Land Conservation
Under the dairy development scheme, 216 beneficiaries received milch cows and borewell support. Farmers were also provided with milk units, milking machines, vermicompost setups, and paneer production units. Livestock are being regularly vaccinated and provided with better breeds.
Land conservation efforts include the renovation of ponds, percolation tanks, deep borings, and the Jal Nidhi scheme. In the last three years, 125 deep borings and 124 percolation tanks have been constructed, irrigating over 250 hectares. More than 1,000 farmers received mini tractors and agricultural tools.
Through the Palash brand under JSLPS, women have started producing lentils, mustard oil, pickles, turmeric, bamboo products, and poultry. This initiative is paving the way for their self-reliance. The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that rural development is incomplete without women’s empowerment.
New Digital Launches for Farmers
The Lok Setu Portal launched at the event will digitally unify schemes related to agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, land conservation, and JSLPS, making them more accessible to the public. The Jan Samadhan Portal will ensure digital grievance redressal and monitoring.
Referring to the participation of major national buyers like Reliance, Amul, Medha, Tokari Fresh, Suvidha Mart, and Farmart, the Deputy Commissioner invited them to partner with Chatra and explore opportunities through MoUs. She encouraged them to select Chatra as a pilot location and assured full administrative support. She added that this event is a bridge between backward and forward linkages, committed to bringing ground-level change.
Direct Dialogue Between Farmers and Buyers
A key attraction was the direct dialogue session between farmers and national buyers, where farmers shared insights on their crops, farming practices, and market expectations. This opened the door for direct selling and long-term partnerships.
The fair featured an integrated exhibition of SHGs, FPOs, departmental schemes, and products. It marked significant steps toward eliminating middlemen, promoting alternative farming, and fostering innovation and digital inclusion. The second day of the fair (August 2) will continue with various activities, dialogue sessions, and awards.
