Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 23 (FN Agency) Farmers need collective support of the state government and public, Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad said on Wednesday. “It is the collective responsibility of the state and the public to make efforts to promote agriculture and support farmers,” the Minister said, while inaugurating the ‘Kisan Expo-2021.’ The two-day Expo, which is being held as part of the National Farmers Day celebration, is jointly conducted by the Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TCCI) and Executive Knowledge Lines, a statement said here. S N Raghuchandran Nair, President, TCCI, presided over the inaugural ceremony. Babty Mathew Somatheeram, President, Kerala Travel Mart, Manoj Babu, Secretary, South Kerala Hoteliers’ Forum, Siji Nair, Managing Director, Executive Knowledge Lines, Dr C Suresh, General Secretary, Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action, Prasad Manjali, Managing Director, Citrine Hospitality, Sisupalan Raveendran, President, Kerala Hotels and Restaurant Association were present at the function.
Four distinguished farmer producer organisations, who have made significant contributions in the field of agriculture, were honoured at the function. Kisan Expo 2021 was held as part of Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Indian independence. The expo will feature seminars, product launches, exhibition of agri-products from different fields of farming, mainly agriculture, dairy and poultry industries. The expo is held in association with various farmers’ organisations in the state. Experts will present innovative ideas and new technical skills related to different agrarian sectors.
Attendees will have the chance for buyer-seller interactions and will get to know the various agricultural schemes by governments at the expo. Farmers and individuals, who have made outstanding contributions in the field of agriculture and industry, will be honoured during the occasion. Kerala Transport Minister Advocate Antony Raju honoured the nominees in a session, which was presided over by VK Prashanth MLA, who said it was an exemplary move to honour the farmers by promoting agriculture sector. Hoping that Kisan Expo would help to revive agricultural sector, he said farmers were the worst-affected section by natural calamities, climate change and Covid-19 pandemic in Kerala. Executive Knowledge Lines Managing Director Siji Nair, TCCI President SN Raghuchandran Nair, Milma Managing Director DS Konda, Canara Bank Deputy General Manager SK Mishra and Metromart Executive Editor N Vijayagopalan were also present on the occasion.