Sudesh Mahto beats the nagara at Vikas Mela in Ranchi on Tuesday. Picture by Manik Bose

Ranchi, Feb. 23: Deputy chief minister Sudesh Kumar Mahto today showered goodies galore on farmers residing in the villages of Ranchi district.

Assets worth Rs 12.5 crore were distributed at Vikas Mela organised in the state capital by the district administration. The assets included tractors, mini trucks and agriculture equipment. The farmers were also given kisan credit cards, which can help them get loans from banks for agricultural purposes at subsidised interest rates.

Accompanied by Assembly Speaker C.P. Singh, Mahto distributed 65 pump sets, 28 tractors and three trucks, apart from other small agricultural tools. A sum of Rs 45.5 lakh was distributed among beneficiaries for buying cows. The minister also distributed education loan worth Rs 75.58 lakh among students who attended the function.

“The objective of Vikas Mela is not only to give assistance in cash as well as in kind to the farmers, but also educate them about latest technology in farming and agriculture,” Mahto said while addressing the gathering. He encouraged the farmers to learn new things from the fair.

The district administration had also put up a number of kiosks for displaying high-yielding seeds, modern agriculture equipment and different types of vegetables. Products made by the women of self-help-groups — handicraft items made of bamboo, wood, grass and mud — also found their way to the mela. Grass mats, decorative items made of wood and bamboo, honey and fruit juice produced by rural women were on display.

“I came here to learn new things about fishery. I have plans to start a business in it,” said a farmer.

Ranchi DC Kamal Kishore Soan, who oversaw preparations of the mela, said it was organised to boost farmers’ knowledge of agriculture, fishery and animal husbandry.