Mangaluru : The fourth edition of Krishi Yantra Mela 2019 to be held at Vivekananda College of Engineering and Technology in Puttur from February 23.

The 3-day event will be organised the Multi-state cooperative Campco Ltd, in association with Vivekananda College of Engineering and Technology, Vivekananda Polytechnic and DK Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd.

Puttur Association of Civil Engineers promote the idea of dream budget homes for the masses in the programme.

Speaking in a press meet S R Sathishchandra, president of Campco, said the fourth edition will strive to build on the success of previous melas held in 2009, 2012 and 2015, respectively. The previous editions attracted footfalls of 2 lakh visitors each day, he said. “We are expecting at least three lakh people each day to be at the mela next month, especially farmers from Karnataka, Kerala and even Tamil Nadu to attend and enrich their understanding of machines,” he said.

The mela is to showcase and create awareness about innovative machines and modern technology for farmers. Machine manufacturers and innovators in the field of agri-machinery will showcase their products, he said. The latest areca peeling machines and equipment for dairy farming will be on display for the benefit of farmers. Visitors will have access to machines and technology advancements of both local and outstation manufacturers.

The event will host seminars on various topics including backyard farming, value addition in farming, farming as a profession, profitability in dairy farming and low-cost housing. “We are in touch with IT professionals turned farmers to be part of the seminar,” he said. “This is to dispel myths that the next generation has regarding agriculture and also inspire people to take up farming, especially those who are fence sitting with doubts about its viability as a livelihood,” said Satishchandra.

“To encourage farmers to construct low-cost cow sheds and use rubber-based floor mats, dairy farming has also been included in the event. Visitors will also be permitted to visit the chocolate factory of Campco during the mela,” he said. “The success story of farmers who have cut down the cost of production with mechanisation in an age where labour is hard to come by, too will be showcased in order to enthuse people about farming as an activity,” he added.

Latest equipment, raw materials and designs used in constructing low-cost houses will be showcased at the mela. The idea behind the dream home is to create awareness among people to use the best of available resources in building best quality homes and also in line with the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that every citizen must have a roof over their head, he said.