Three-Day Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Entrepreneur Advancement Mela Concludes in Motihari

1–3 September 2026, Motihari, Bihar

A three-day “Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Entrepreneur Advancement Mela–2026”, organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Piprakothi, under Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), Pusa, concluded at the Mahatma Gandhi Auditorium on Thursday. The event brought together farmers, scientists, policymakers, defence personnel and entrepreneurs to promote technology-driven agriculture, farmer prosperity and rural enterprise development.

Held from 1 to 3 September 2026, the Mela featured three thematic programmes focusing on farmer prosperity; the convergence of agriculture, science and national service; and entrepreneurship in livestock, fisheries, beekeeping and horticulture.

The opening day, organised as the “Kisan Samriddhi Sammelan evam Buddhijeevi, Shramjeevi, Samajsevi Samman Samaroh,” was graced by Shri Samrat Chaudhary, Chief Minister of Bihar, as Chief Guest. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism; Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines; and Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Member of Parliament, Motihari, and former Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, were among the prominent dignitaries.

Dr P. S. Pandey, Vice-Chancellor, RPCAU, Pusa; Dr R. K. Jha, Director, Extension Education, RPCAU, Pusa; and MLAs representing different constituencies also participated.

Progressive farmers excelling in animal husbandry, fisheries, beekeeping and horticulture were felicitated for their contributions to innovation and rural entrepreneurship. Exhibitions by RPCAU, ICAR institutes, government departments, private organisations, self-help groups and innovative farmers showcased technologies related to crops, livestock, fisheries, farm machinery, value addition and entrepreneurship.

The second day featured the “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan Sammelan,” with Lt. General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.), Governor of Bihar, as Chief Guest. Shri Radha Mohan Singh, along with the Senior Defence Officers, Shri Ravi K, Chairman and Managing Director, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Shri Manoj Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), attended the programme.

The Governor laid the foundation stone of a BEL-supported Defence Enclave Exhibition Centre and inaugurated an HAL-funded Girls’ Hostel and a Defence Canteen and Store Building. Defence and police personnel, students and young achievers were also felicitated.

The concluding day featured the “Pashupalak, Matsyapalak, Madhumakhipalak evam Bagwani Sammelan,” with Shri Radha Mohan Singh as Chief Guest. Shri Meenesh Shah, Chairman and Managing Director, National Dairy Development Board, and Shri Shirshat Kapil Ashok, Secretary, Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Bihar, attended as Special Guests.

A major highlight was the announcement of a second Mother Dairy plant in Champaran, involving an estimated investment of ₹350 crore. Plans for a fish-processing unit, aquaculture park and honey-processing facility at Piprakothi were also highlighted.

The expansion of dairy cooperative societies to 6,500 villages and a ₹25-crore breed-improvement programme were also announced, underscoring the growing importance of processing, value addition and organised marketing in strengthening Bihar’s rural economy.

The Mela was organised with the support of ICAR-ATARI, IFFCO Motihari, ICAR-CRIDA, ICAR-RCER Patna, DAHO, Government of Bihar, ICAR-MGIFRI, Mother Dairy Motihari, Bapudham Milk Producers Company Motihari and ATMA Motihari.

Progressive livestock farmers, fish farmers, beekeepers, horticulturists, agricultural scientists, students, media persons and other dignitaries participated enthusiastically, making the three-day event a platform for showcasing agricultural technologies, recognising rural innovators and strengthening linkages among research, farmers, entrepreneurship, value addition and organised marketing.