Bahiram Fair in Vidarbha puts focus on Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management

A spiritual event seems an unlikely place to put up exhibition on agriculture or farming, but gathering of 50,000 people every day in that event makes it more advantageous to reach out and sensitize people on Sustainable Agriculture Practices and Natural Resource Management.

Bahiram Fair is one such auspicious event for the people of Vidarbha and nearby region of Maharashtra. Thousands of people visit Bahiram Baba temple every year during the month of December and January to pay homage and purchase various household and agriculture related tools, utensils, and other items.

Every year Center for Environmental Studies in Social Sector (CESSS) put up their exhibition stalls during Bahiram fair to reach out to more and more farmers to disseminate knowledge and practices of Sustainable Agriculture, low cost Natural Resource Management, indigenous seed and conservation practices, information on Govt. schemes and entitlement, livelihood promotion etc. with the people.

Mr. Hinganikar, Social forestry officer inaugurated the 3 days exhibition and shared that Sustainable Agriculture practices and Natural Resource Management can regenerate farmer’s life and solve the present agrarian crisis in Vidarbha region.

The inauguration was attended by Mr. Rajesh Solav, Chairman of Block Panchayat, Mr. G.M. Hinganikar, Social forestry office, Mr. Zagade, Block Agriculture Officer, Mr. Vinayak Yewale, Press Reporter, Fr. Ramsheen, Vicar General of Amravati diocese, Fr. Benjamine, Executive Director Jeevan Vikas Sanstha, Mrs. Latatai Chudhary, Sarpanch, CESSS staff and Villagers.

Farmers were oriented on preparation of Vermi compost, NADEP compost, Bijamrit, Jeevamrit, Fish Tonic, NPK organic, Cytosine, Lamit, Dashparni for making the soil fertile and controlling of insects and pests of field crops, vegetables and fruits.

The farmers appreciated the initiative of Caritas India- CESSS in providing good knowledge on reducing the cost of cultivation and increasing soil fertility by the use of organic manures. They had registered their names and addresses with CESSS for further follow up with regard to the technical support in adopting Sustainable Agriculture Practices in their farm.