Northern Zone Regional Agriculture Fair – 2015 concluded at IVRI A four-day Northern Zone Regional Agriculture Fair (NZRAF) – 2015 of ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), supported by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Govt. of India, New Delhi was concluded on 20th March, 2015 at IVRI headquarters, Izatnagar with great enthusiasm and fervor. Dr M.P. Yadav, Former Vice-Chancellor, Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut graced the closing ceremony as Chief Guest and distributed prizes & certificates along with other dignitaries to the winners of various competitions. A souvenir in Hindi on completion of 125 years of IVRI was also released by the chief guest. On this occasion, Shri Vedpal Singh from Akkha Village, Bareilly received the “Best Animal-Overall Championship Trophy” for his Sahiwal breed calf. In his address, Dr. Yadav emphasized that interactions of farmers among themselves after visiting the fair will further propagate knowledge in wider population. He highlighted the issues of climate change and declining agriculture production, food security, nutritional security, malnutrition in masses, stagnancy in agriculture production and social gap because of developments in pockets. While discussing on Govt. policies such as Kamdhenu Yojna by Uttar Pradesh Government and Gokul Mission by Central government, he opined some amendments such as different standards for cow and buffalo milk, categorizations of cows milk in A1 and A2 category, reduction in limit of minimum production/animal under Kamdhenu Yojna, minimum support price for livestock & Poultry produce, financial support either in the form of direct subsidy/incentives to milk producer, strengthening of co-operative societies for other agricultural produce similar to dairy, direct aid to livestock owners for expenses incurred on veterinary, nutritional, insurance or managemental aspects of livestock rearing, etc. In his brief keynote address he stressed upon need of 2nd green revolution which could be achievable from integration of crop production with livestock, poultry, fisheries and horticulture. Dr. R.K. Singh, Director, IVRI appreciated the wisdom of livestock owners and elaborated how the technologies of cloning and stem cell can be useful for increasing the elite germ-plasm in short period of time which is quiet necessary to meet out the future demand. He also assured all possible help from institute to farmers like deputation of technical staff versed with local dialects for easy communication at exhibition stall, preparation of exhibition material in farmer friendly version and stressed upon personal interactions with experts, scientists for objective solution of their livestock related problems. On this occasion, the Guests of Honour, Dr Nagendra Sharma, Former Vice Chancellor, Shere-e-Kashmir University of Animal Science & Technology, Jammu; Dr. S.K. Agarwal, Director, Central Institute of Research on Goats, Makhdoom; Shri Dinesh Juyal, Chief Editor, Dainik Amar Ujala, Bareilly also shared their views and appreciated the efforts of IVRI for well being of livestock and its owners. Dr. Mahesh Chander, Joint Director, Extension Education and convener of the Agriculture Fair briefed about the 4- day NZRAF-2015 and informed that more than 60 stalls were placed by various organizations including ICAR Institutes, SAUs, State and Central Departments, KVKs, pharmaceuticals , medical services, pesticides & fertilizers, Seed/Feed/ Nursery suppliers, Farm Machineries, Automobiles, Electronics, Gramoudyog, Real Estate Agencies and NGOs. The agriculture fair was attended by about 15000 visitors including farmers, livestock owners, agri-preneurs, field functionaries, students from Uttar Pradesh and other neighboring states. He further informed that during the agriculture fair competitions were organized for 21 different categories of animals and winners were awarded. The human health examination was also attracted the visitors who got themselves examined for Blood sugar, bone density, Hemoglobin, teeth etc on free basis provided by the hospitals & medical colleges. Exhibitions stalls under different categories were awarded based on their comprehensive evaluation. The report also included the words of appreciation for National Kathak Institute, Varanasi for evening cultural event attended by one and all, team of puppet show. He appreciated the enthusiasm of farmers for their participation and also thanked sponsors for their zeal. Dr S.V.S. Malik, Principal Scientist and Scientific Secretary to the Director, IVRI welcomed the Chief Guest and other dignitaries those present on the occasion and also anchored the closing ceremony. Dr B.P. Singh, Principal Scientist, Joint Directorate of Extension Education proposed vote of thanks.