Agri Expo 2008
Visitors at a stall in Agri Expo, an agriculture, dairy and poultry exhibition, which began in Coimbatore on Friday. The ninth edition of Agri Expo, the agriculture and dairy exhibition, which opened at the Suguna Kalyana Mandapam here on Friday, has something in store for all green fingered persons. From farmers with large land holdings looking for sophisticated machinery to plant lovers searching for saplings and equipment to enhance their kitchen garden or front porch will be able to find their requirements here. There are some 90 stalls that display the latest in farm implements, equipment, seeds, fertilizers and pesticides.
It has brought together farmers, plantation owners, technologists, Government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and manufacturers of agriculture equipment, farm vehicles and animal feed. Traders, retailers, exporters, importers and buyers from agricultural and related industries have also made their presence felt. After inaugurating the expo, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) C. Ramasamy told The Hindu that the expo had some attractive machinery among other things.
“It is interesting to note that there are at least seven stalls that have displayed journals on agriculture. The expo has not only focussed on providing inputs and infrastructure, but also knowledge. The stalls put up by TNAU have on display the latest varieties of crops and technologies. The exercise is basically to market our new technologies to the farmers”. Agricultural equipment like tractors, mowers, ploughs, pumps, etc., in various sizes and colours, caught the eye. Accessories like sprayers, nets, sprinklers and fences, are also available.
According to P. Venkatesh, Managing Director, Interface Trade Fair Private Limited, organiser of the expo, the response of the agricultural community in taking part in the expo has been consistent over the years. “We have ensured that the expo catered to professional farmers as well as those from the domestic sector. The novel milking machine for big time dairy farmers and a variety of small size equipment that have been introduced for developing home gardens and in-house plants are some of the major attractions”.
For those interested in landscaping their garden, there are consultants to guide them about beautifying it. The variety of plants at the nurseries would make decision making a difficult task. Besides the usual decorative and small variety flowering plants, there are also coconut hybrids and the choicest varieties of mangoes like the Alphonsa. The expo is on till November 24.
