Port Blair, Dec. 10: The Department of Agriculture, Rangat Zone, Middle Andaman organized one day Seed Mela at Panchayat Hall, Kadamtala in association with private seed dealers of Rangat Zone for the benefit of farmers.

At the outset Smti. S.C.Rekha, Assistant Director (Agri.), Rangat welcomed the Chief Guest and others present and briefed on the purpose of conducting Seed Mela, as this was a demand of farmers and on the request of Shri. Jyotirmoy Bawali, EX-ZPM to the Assistant Commissioner, Rangat.

She motivated the unemployed educated youth to apply for license to sell seeds and other Agri-inputs so that farmers can purchase timely inputs locally. This programme was inaugurated by Smti. Swapna Mondal, EX-ZPM. She welcomed the initiative of Agriculture department for organizing such seed mela at the village level  and on behalf of farmers thanked the department for coordinating with the private seed dealers in order to  provide seeds of various crops for ensuing Rabi Season. She urged the farmers to make this opportunity for purchasing good quality vegetable seeds which is timely available for this season.

Shri. Dinesh Majhi, Agriculture Assistant briefed on the availability of good seeds with the dealers and also explained in brief the different Package of Practices of Rabi crops, benefits of seed treatment and timely sowing of vegetable crops. The programme was attended by more than hundred farmers.

The two licensed seed dealers of Rangat zone participated in the seed mela and displayed various seeds available with them. About 9.8 kg of seeds of various crops for Rabi season was purchased by the farmers during the mela.

The programme ended with vote of thanks proposed by Shri. Amar Kumar Sadhu, AFA.