Greater Noida, Sept. 27 -- Agriculture and agriculture-based entrepreneurship from Meerut have emerged as a major attraction at the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show underway at India Expo Mart.
At the Horticulture Department's outlet, buyers and visitors from across India and abroad are gathering information after seeing crops, flowers, and honey products produced by farmers from Meerut. Along with Gerbera and rose flowers, crops such as lotus stem, capsicum, and brinjal have drawn considerable attention. A notable aspect is that, besides showcasing their products, farmers are also gaining access to new markets and business opportunities through the exhibition.
Ravindra Kumar, a resident of Kheda village in Sardhana tehsil, is producing fruits and vegetables through polyhouse cultivation on five acres of land. He said that he adopted protected cultivation by availing the benefits of schemes run by the Horticulture Department. As a result, the annual turnover of his agricultural enterprise has crossed Rs 29 lakh. His polyhouse is producing yellow, green, and red capsicums weighing between 300 and 400 grams. These crops are in demand at Delhi's Azadpur Mandi.
Ravindra Kumar stated that he had also participated in the Trade Show last year. Showcasing his products before the market and buyers through the exhibition helped him gain a new identity. This year as well, several event management companies have approached him for the supply of Gerbera and rose flowers. Discussions have also been held with some companies regarding Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). He remarked that government schemes are giving farmers the opportunity to advance, alongside traditional farming, toward modern technology and market-oriented production.
Uttar Pradesh Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture, Dinesh Pratap Singh, also inspected the Horticulture Department's outlet, viewed the farmers' products and encouraged them. Along with crops from Meerut, other agriculture-related products have also been displayed at the outlet.
Honey products of Meerut-based Rantrove Natural displayed at the Horticulture Department's outlet have also become a centre of interest for visitors. Young entrepreneur Rakhi Aghera and her brother Bharat Aghera said that their company received an order for 46 tonnes of honey from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam last year. They expressed hope that this year's Trade Show will also help them secure new business opportunities and better orders.
Senior Horticulture Inspector Sanjay Singh, who is involved in managing the outlet, said that for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs from Meerut, the Trade Show is not merely a platform for displaying products but also an opportunity to connect directly with buyers and business institutions. From polyhouse-grown vegetables and flowers to honey, products from Meerut are presenting a new picture of agriculture being linked to the market.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.