10-10-2025:118th All India Farmers Fair and Agriculture Exhibition was inaugurated by the Governor at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar.

Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd.) inaugurated the 118th All India Farmers’ Fair and Agricultural Exhibition at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. The event witnessed the presence of distinguished guests including Union Minister of State for Defence and Tourism and Member of Parliament, Shri Ajay Bhatt; Uttarakhand Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ganesh Joshi; MLA and University Board of Management member, Shri Shiv Arora; former MLA, Shri Rajesh Shukla; Padma Shri Dr. Madhuri Barthwal; Mayor of Rudrapur, Shri Vikas Sharma; Vice Chancellor of Uttarakhand Open University, Prof. Naveen Chandra Lohani; Vice Chancellor of Soban Singh Jeena University, Dr. Satpal Singh Bisht; and Vice Chancellor of Pantnagar University, Dr. Manmohan Singh Chauhan, among others.

The Governor inaugurated the newly constructed auditorium and the Semiconductor Laboratory, established with the contribution of the university’s alumnus, Shri Vivek Nautiyal. Expressing his delight over the grand organization of the 118th Farmers’ Fair, the Governor congratulated the university for hosting 503 stalls this year. He said that the land of Pantnagar, which once ushered in the Green Revolution, will now pave the way for revolutions in sectors such as honey, aromatic plants, and millets (Shri Ann). The Governor appreciated the enthusiasm of students and scientists toward innovation and expressed satisfaction over the use of artificial intelligence in agricultural research.

The Governor emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Developed and Self-Reliant India by 2047 will certainly be realized. He highlighted that the use of modern digital technologies like semiconductors, drones, sensors, and GPS in agriculture opens vast opportunities for growth. He urged greater focus on startups and entrepreneurship and praised the university alumnus who donated equipment worth ₹10 crore. The Governor noted with pride that over 40,000 students have graduated from the university, each serving as its brand ambassador. He further mentioned that the university being thrice honored with the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Award is a matter of great prestige.

Governor Singh said that Pantnagar Seeds has established a distinct identity nationwide and remarked, “If we protect agriculture, agriculture will protect us.” He spoke about key government initiatives such as the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Drone Didi Yojana, and Women Self-Help Groups, emphasizing that scientific innovations must reach every farmer. He called for the adoption of natural and chemical-free farming practices.

Guest of Honour, Shri Ajay Bhatt, appreciated the university’s efforts toward farmers’ welfare and congratulated the organizers for the successful event. He said that Pantnagar University stands as a beacon of inspiration for farmers across the nation, contributing significantly to their self-reliance through technological and research advancements.

Guest of Honour, Shri Ganesh Joshi, in his address, recalled how India once imported poor-quality grains but today not only feeds its 1.4 billion citizens but also exports food grains to 89 countries. He praised the university’s achievement of improving its national ranking from 361st to 209th under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor.

Vice Chancellor Dr. Manmohan Singh Chauhan welcomed the guests and highlighted the importance of the Farmers’ Fair, noting that over 500 stalls have been set up this year. He lauded the dedication of the scientists and students who are working tirelessly to bring university-developed technologies to farmers.

Director of Extension Education, Dr. Jitendra Kyatra, informed that around 30,000–35,000 farmers are expected to visit the fair, which features stalls on agricultural machinery, organic products, animal husbandry, beekeeping, dairy, floriculture, vegetable varieties, drone and sensor-based systems, and smart agriculture tools. Women Self-Help Groups are also exhibiting homemade products such as jams, pickles, papads, bakery goods, badis, and handicrafts.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Director of Research, Dr. Subhash Chandra. Various agricultural publications were released, and 12 progressive farmers from different districts of Uttarakhand were felicitated. Dignitaries including the District Magistrate of Udham Singh Nagar, Senior Superintendent of Police, SDM, Deans, Directors, faculty members, farmers, scientists, students, and a delegation of nine students from France also participated in the ceremony.
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