Governor Inaugurates 118th All India Farmers’ Fair at Pantnagar University

Pavneet Singh bindra

Pantnagar,,Semiconductor Lab and Newly Built Auditorium Dedicated; 503 Stalls Display Agricultural InnovationThe 118th All India Farmers’ Fair and Agricultural Exhibition was inaugurated at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, by Uttarakhand Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.). At the outset, the Governor inaugurated the newly constructed Semiconductor Lab and auditorium established with the contribution of university alumnus Vivek Nautiyal.In his inaugural address, the Governor expressed happiness over the grand organization of the event, extending congratulations as the number of stalls reached 503 this year. He said that the soil of Pantnagar had already ushered in the Green Revolution and will now bring new revolutions in fields like honey production, aromatic crops, and millets.The Governor lauded the enthusiasm of students and scientists toward innovation, stating it was encouraging to see young scholars using modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence in agriculture. Referring to the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed and self-reliant India by 2047, he said these innovations would play a crucial role in realizing that goal.Highlighting the role of emerging technologies like semiconductors, drones, sensors, and GPS in modern farming, the Governor emphasized the need to strengthen startups and entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector. He also appreciated a university alumnus for donating equipment worth ₹10 crore to the institution.He mentioned that more than 40,000 students have graduated from the university, and each one of them serves as a brand ambassador for the institution. Receiving the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Award three times is a matter of immense pride for Pantnagar University, he added.The Governor remarked that “if we protect agriculture, agriculture will protect us.” He also highlighted key government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Drone Didi Yojana, and Women Self-Help Groups, urging scientists to ensure that the technologies they develop reach the farmers at the grassroots level. He strongly advocated for adopting natural farming and producing chemical-free agricultural products.