Hampi Harvest Festival Celebrates Agricultural Heritage and Innovation
The vibrant Harvest Festival and Agricultural Exhibition, held at the Matanga Parvata Grounds as part of the Hampi festival in Vijayanagara, provided attendees with an immersive experience into the diverse lives and rich traditions of farmers from across India. This event served as a dynamic platform to explore the potential for sustainable agricultural development by harmonizing time-honored wisdom with contemporary farming methods.
Cultural Celebrations and Traditional Practices
The harvest festivities were a colorful tapestry of rural customs, including Sankranti rituals, grain puja ceremonies, seed harvesting demonstrations, and the manual grinding of grains. Folk songs performed by rural women and beautifully decorated bullock carts added to the cultural richness, vividly reflecting the essence of village life. The agricultural exhibition prominently displayed indigenous and traditional farm produce, with a dedicated emphasis on preserving native and uncultivated seeds in response to the increasing prevalence of BT and foreign crop varieties.
Artistic Displays and Integrated Farming Systems
Visitors were captivated by artistic creations such as depictions of Ganesha, the KSDA logo, and Nandi, all meticulously crafted from millets. The 'Krishi Brahmanda' exhibit garnered significant attention by showcasing integrated farming systems that incorporate modern technologies like drones and tractors alongside traditional practices such as animal husbandry and sericulture. Additionally, the exhibition featured millet-based dishes and sales of organic produce, highlighting the nutritional and economic benefits of sustainable agriculture.
Major Bull Exhibition Highlights Indigenous Breeds
A standout attraction was the bull exhibition organized by the Bidar district administration and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, located behind the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority in Kamalapur. This event saw participation from more than 170 pairs of bulls originating from Kamalapur, Hosapete, and various parts of the district. Indigenous breeds including Hallikar, Malnad Gidda, Ongole, Amritmahal, and Kilari, along with select foreign breeds, impressed the gathering with their strength and heritage.
Judging and Distinguished Attendees
The cattle competition was judged by a panel of experts led by Prof Dr Kotresh from Bidar Veterinary College, along with Basavaraj and other veterinary doctors from different districts. The program was conducted by retired assistant director Dr Basavaraj Benny, who engaged directly with farmers to discuss best practices. The event was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Deputy Director Dr M Ravi of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Assistant Director Dr Imran, Dr Yugandar Manvi, Dr Prashanth, Dr Ajay Kumar, Dr Suresh, Dr Raghavendra, Dr Mallikarjun, Dr Chandra Naik, Dr Shivakumar, Dr Lohit, Dr Satish, Dr Nemi Naik, Joint Director of Agriculture BT Manjunath, Deputy Director Dr Naeem Pasha, Assistant Director Manojgouda, SP Patil, VC Umesh, and several local farmers, underscoring the community's commitment to agricultural advancement.
