1st Ladakh AgriTech Mela concludes Discussions held among scientists, industry and farmers.

Leh, Aug 12: The two-day Ladakh Agri Tech Mela organised for the first time in UT Ladakh concluded on August 11. The Mela which commenced on August 10 was organised by the STI Hub Ladakh in collaboration with LAHDC Leh, CSIR-IMTECH Chandigarh and NIELIT Leh.
Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh, RK Mathur inaugurated the Ladakh Agri Tech Mela as the chief guest, whereas the guests of honors were Dy Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tsering Angchuk; EC Agriculture, Stanzin Chosphel; EC RDD Tashi Namgyal Yakzee; Principal Secretary Heath, Dr. Pawan Kotwal; Commissioner Secretary Skill Development, Padma Angmo; Secretary Agriculture, Ravinder Kumar; DC Leh Shrikant Suse and Director CSIR-IMTECH Chandigarh, Dr. Sanjeev Khosla.
On the occasion, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) was inaugurated at the office of NIELIT Leh. STI Hub is a collaborative project by CSIR-IMTECH Chandigarh, PGIMER Chandigarh, and NIELIT Leh to facilitate economic development by supporting and nurturing young innovators to establish small, medium – business enterprises. The STI Hub strives to take Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aspirational national missions Startup India and Atmanirbhar Bharat ahead.
The AgriTech mela aimed to create awareness among the farmers of Ladakh about the latest innovations in agriculture, irrigation techniques, water management, post-harvest techniques, value addition methods, and livestock management.
Scientists from various labs of CSIR, SKUAST, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras exhibited the technologies and scientific interventions for promoting sustainable agriculture in the Ladakh region. Also, industries & NGOs from all across India and Ladakh region participated to demonstrate the latest agriculture techniques like hydroponics, micro-irrigation, drip irrigation, vertical farming, poly houses, greenhouses, organic farming, bio-fertilizers and pesticides, various methods of value-addition and packaging materials.
The AgriTech mela presented a unique knowledge-sharing platform for progressive farmers and scientists. More than one thousand farmers attended the mela and participated in the event.
Scientists demonstrated the latest techniques in rural technology farms to the farmers. Also, students from various colleges and schools in the Ladakh region visited the AgriTech mela.
Executive Councillor, Agriculture, Stanzin Chosphel and Director, CSIR-IMTECH, Dr Sanjeev Khosla held a round of discussions with the participating scientists and industry representatives in the STI Hub seminar hall.
Scientist CSIR-IMTECH, Chander Shekhar who is also the Project In-charge STI Hub and Director In-Charge, NIELIT Leh, Phuntsog Toldhan conveyed thanks to LAHDC Leh, UT Administration, CSIR, SKUAST, University of Ladakh, GBPNIHE, KVKs, DRDO, ICAR, NISR, NGOs, MSMEs, and cooperative clusters.