The two-day Kisan Mela at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana saw a significant decrease in farmer attendance on its first day, partly due to ongoing farmer protests. Attendees and exhibitors expressed disappointment at the lower-than-usual turnout compared to previous years, attributing it to the ongoing farmers' agitation and adverse weather conditions from the previous year.
Gaurav Sharma, a senior executive from Sonalika, noted a smaller crowd than expected, especially during the inauguration. Other participants echoed this sentiment, stating that while the venue appeared busy, the number of visitors was notably fewer than in previous years.
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The turnout was also affected by the farmers' protests, with many attendees opting to participate in protests at Shambhu Border and Delhi instead. Farmers who did attend expressed similar observations about the reduced crowd compared to previous years, recalling past events where even rainy weather didn't deter attendance.
Despite the lower turnout, the event honored several farmers for their innovations in farming. Awards were presented to farmers excelling in horticulture, crop production, farm mechanization, and organic cultivation. The mela's theme emphasized entrepreneurial ventures to boost family earnings through agricultural and off-farm activities.
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During the event, state agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian urged youths to consider entrepreneurship within the state rather than seeking opportunities abroad. He emphasized diversification in agriculture and management of crop residue to address environmental concerns and create local economic opportunities. Additionally, plans were revealed to install solar pumps across the state as part of sustainable agricultural practices.
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