The Kutch region, once known for its sparse rainfall and barren landscapes, presented a daunting challenge for pomegranate farming until a few years ago. But, now with the waters of the Narmada being diverted, pomegranate farming has now become lucrative for the farmers.

In Gujarat, pomegranate is grown on 43,500 hectares and the annual production is around 6.30 lakh Metric Tons (MT). Kutch and Banaskatha are the biggest producers of this fruit in Gujarat, with the combined production of these two districts being around 4.80 lakh MT.

UPL Limited, an Indian multinational manufacturing and marketing agrochemicals with a footprint across over 130 countries spanning 5 continents recently organized a ‘Kisan-Mela’ in the presence of agricultural experts from different universities, along with the pomegranate growers of the Kutch region of Gujarat at the farmers’ fields of Anjar Town.

The innovative program was organized by Varun Shroff, S/o  Jaidev Shroff, Chairman UPL in the presence of about 30 progressive pomegranate farmers. Varun Shroff who visited the pomegranate farmers’ field held detailed interactions with them to understand things from their perspective and presented solutions to them.

During the interaction, the farmers proudly displayed their crops and reported that they had a bountiful harvest. The agricultural experts present encouraged the pomegranate farmers to share their problems, which were promptly addressed.

Varun Shroff mingled well with the pomegranate farmers urging them to cultivate pomegranate. Top five farmers won prizes for their crops and all those who took part were given consolation prizes.

The farmers were extremely happy with the ‘Kisan Mela’ and were of the opinion that it would be worthwhile if such farmers’ meets were organized more frequently in future for such niche crops with high return. The guidance improved the quality and yield of the pomegranate keeping in view the recommendation in package of practices.