Varanasi hosting Mega Rural Fest on September 19-20 at BHU

Two-day Kashi event to showcases livestock excellence,

agri-dairy technologies, farmer innovations and the rich cultural heritage of

Purvanchal

Varanasi, 19 Sept (HS): Dharmpal Singh, Minister of Animal

Husbandry and Dairy Development, Uttar Pradesh, inaugurated 'Rangeelo Kashi'

today. The two-day mega rural festival is being organized by the National Dairy

Development Board (NDDB) and its wholly owned subsidiary, NDDB Dairy Services

(NDS), on September 19–20, 2026, at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

Dharmpal Singh - “To double farmers' income, the Yogi

government is providing subsidy on cattle purchases, along with high-quality

semen. Animal husbandry and dairy development will play a vital role in the

state's quest to become a $1 trillion economy. Our goal is to maximize milk

production at the lowest possible cost to substantially boost dairy farmers'

earnings. Additionally, we have introduced several other schemes for their

benefit.”

Exhorting the farmers, NDDB and other stake-holders to take

dairy development to the next level, Dharmpal Singh also urged farmers to take

benefit of govt’s animal vaccination drive.

The event was also graced by various dignitaries including Durga

Prasad Mishra, former Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh and Director, NDDB; Dhanalakshmi

K., Director General of Fisheries and Commissioner of Dairy Development,

Government of Uttar Pradesh; Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, Vice-Chancellor,

Banares Hindu University; Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman and Managing Director,

National Dairy Development Board (NDDB); Prakash Bindu, Managing Director,

Pradeshik Cooperative Dairy Federation (PCDF); Guru Prasad Singh, Director,

NDDB; J. T. Chari, Managing Director, Mother Dairy, and Dr. C. P. Devanand,

Managing Director, NDDB Dairy Services.

Durga Shankar Mishra said, “Once a top milk producer, Uttar

Pradesh lost the track in between. However, Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath

took personal interests in reviving the milk production. We, along with NDDB,

took it up on mission mode and have again become the largest milk producing

state in India. Uttar Pradesh still has a lot of scope in dairy development,

and I’m sure NDDB with help in this direction.”

Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB & NDDB Dairy Services said,

“After the grand success of ‘Rangeelo’ in Jaipur, this is second such

programme. Uttar Pradesh has a lot of untapped potential of milk production.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi directed NDDB to help the farmers of

this area in increasing the milk production and their income. For the same, we

have introduced a slew of measures, including restarting old plants and

bringing in high milk producing breed of cows and buffalos. With an excellent

support being received from the Uttar Pradesh government, we will keep working

in closely to empower our farmers with knowledge, technology and opportunities.

Rangeelo is our commitment to recognising their contribution, fostering

innovation and building partnerships that create lasting impact across the

rural landscape.”

Dhanalakshmi K. said, “The Uttar Pradesh government aims to

establish a dairy cooperative in every district of the state, alongside

implementing the Rashtriya Gokul Mission at the block level. Having achieved

the milestone of transforming our women dairy farmers into Lakhpati Didis, we

plan to build on this momentum to bring greater prosperity to their lives.”

Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi - “We have our own dairy of BHU

and a gaushala at Mirzapur. We want to learn from the experience of NDDB and

work along with them to implement the learningsfor furthering the dairy

development mission in this area.”

The highlight of the inaugural day of ‘Rangeelo Kashi’

included a ‘Nandi Show’ (Bull show) wherein variety of high-breed bulls, such

as, Sahiwal, Dharparkar, Bhadawari, Gir etc were presented for the benefit of

farmers; and MPO farmers’ bright sons & daughters, along with the

beneficiaries of various schemes undertaken by the Dairy Development Department

of Uttar Pradesh government were felicitated.

A vibrant platform bringing together farmers, agri and dairy

experts, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and

institutions, ‘Rangeelo Kashi’ aims to showcase innovations in agriculture,

dairying and livestock while celebrating the rich cultural heritage of

Purvanchal. The event will provide farmers and visitors an opportunity to

learn, engage and experience the latest developments shaping the rural economy.

The two-day event also features a Grand Pashu Mela,

showcasing superior and high genetic merit livestock, along with expert-led

technical sessions, interactive workshops, practical demonstrations and

Experience Zones. An exhibition will bring together organisations, startups,

cooperatives, government departments and rural enterprises showcasing solutions

across the agriculture and dairy value chain.

Rangeelo Kashi is expected to attract 20,000+ visitors, 85+

exhibitors and 500+ delegates. The event will also feature 10+ cultural and

folk performances, 150+ Pashu Mela participants, 20+ Handicraft Haat

participants and 8+ high genetic merit breeds, with prize money of over Rs. 41

lakh. Through its unique blend of knowledge, technology, livestock and culture,

Rangeelo Kashi aims to create a vibrant platform for farmer empowerment,

innovation and sustainable rural prosperity.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi