Raisen to host national agri festival showcasing ‘lab to land’ farm innovations

In a major push to accelerate technology adoption in Indian agriculture, a three-day Unnat Krishi Mela 2026 was held at the Dussehra Grounds in Raisen from April 11 to April 13. 

Led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the event was designed to bridge the gap between scientific research and on-ground farming practices, with a strong focus on delivering practical, scalable solutions to farmers. The festival was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, alongside Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, while Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is scheduled to attend the closing day, highlighting the event’s national significance. 

Positioning the event as a “game changer,” Chouhan emphasised that the initiative showcased the entire agricultural value chain, from “lab to field” enabling farmers to access modern technologies, improved practices and better market linkages.  The festival is featuring a wide range of exhibits, including improved seed varieties, modern farm machinery, micro-irrigation systems and rural livelihood solutions. Multiple training sessions, seminars and live demonstrations are planned to provide farmers with hands-on exposure to emerging agricultural technologies. 

Key demonstrations included drone-based spraying, advanced seeders and harvesters, offering insights into mechanisation and precision agriculture practices. 

The event witnessed participation from leading institutions such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, agri-tech startups, banks and Farmer Producer Organizations, creating a comprehensive agricultural ecosystem platform. A major highlight of the festival was the release of a regional agricultural roadmap for Raisen, Vidisha and Sehore districts during the closing session. The roadmap is expected to outline strategies for improving productivity, enhancing sustainability and strengthening market linkages in the region, marking a structured approach to agricultural transformation.