Lok Sabha Speaker Inaugurates Guava Festival, Says It Will Improve Farmers’ Lives

Kota: Guava cultivation in Sawai Madhopur is set to significantly improve the lives of farmers in the coming days. The state government will establish a guava processing plant in the district, which will boost domestic and international demand for guava and its value-added products. The country’s first-ever Guava Festival marks an important step in this direction, and its positive outcomes will soon become visible.

This was stated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajasthan’s Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Rural Development and Disaster Management Dr. Kirori Lal Meena on Sunday during the inauguration of the Guava Festival at Dussehra Ground. The festival was organized on the occasion of the 263rd Foundation Day of Sawai Madhopur, along with the Agricultural Technology Fair–2026. Om Birla attended the event as the chief guest, while Dr. Kirori Lal Meena presided over the programme.

Addressing the gathering, Om Birla said that in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of increasing farmers’ income, the state government is taking several important steps to enhance agricultural production. As part of these efforts, the Guava Festival is being organized for the first time in India at Sawai Madhopur. The festival provides a common platform for farmers, agricultural produce traders, and experts in agricultural machinery and technology from across the country to share experiences and adopt advanced farming practices.

### Guava: Affordable Yet Highly Nutritious

The Lok Sabha Speaker said that although guava is an inexpensive fruit, it is extremely nutritious. Events like the Guava Festival help spread awareness about its health benefits. Value-added products such as pickles, juice, pulp, and sweets made from guava are also being showcased at the fair. He added that the festival is facilitating the exchange of knowledge on guava’s benefits, advanced cultivation techniques, improved varieties, and processing methods.

Om Birla welcomed the announcement made by the Agriculture Minister regarding the establishment of a guava processing plant in Sawai Madhopur, stating that true growth in farmers’ income occurs only when agricultural produce is value-added. He emphasized that this initiative would play a crucial role in improving the livelihoods of guava farmers in the region.

### State Government Responsible for Utilization of Sawai Madhopur Guava

Presiding over the event, Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirori Lal Meena announced that the state government will soon set up a ₹150-crore guava processing plant in Sawai Madhopur. He noted that out of Rajasthan’s total 14,000 hectares of guava orchards, 11,000 hectares are located in Sawai Madhopur alone. He stated that it is the responsibility of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma’s government to ensure that guava produced in the district is processed and utilized locally.

Dr. Meena urged farmers and participants to make the most of the Guava Festival by interacting with agricultural machinery manufacturers, horticulture experts, processing entrepreneurs, and scientists. He encouraged visitors to explore the nearly 250 stalls set up at the event to gain knowledge about advanced farming techniques and improved crop varieties.

He also advised farmers to take advantage of state and central government schemes related to agriculture and animal husbandry, especially the Crop Insurance Scheme and the Mangla Pashu Bima Yojana. Highlighting the central government’s “Per Drop, More Crop” scheme, he said that Rajasthan aims to increase its irrigated area by 25 percent through this initiative. Additionally, Dr. Meena announced that development works worth ₹600 crore will be carried out in Sawai Madhopur district.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Agriculture Minister Dr. Meena jointly inaugurated the Guava Festival and Agricultural Technology Fair. They visited various stalls, interacted with farmers, entrepreneurs, and scientists, and discussed different guava varieties, value-added products, and new agricultural technologies on display.

The inaugural programme was also addressed by District Collector Kana Ram and former MLA Man Singh Gurjar.