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The three-day Advanced Agriculture Festival held at Dashahara Ground in Raisen, which began on April 11, concluded on Monday. On the occasion of the closing ceremony, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reached Raisen and visited the exhibition. Addressing the gathering, Gadkari said he was happy to be present and added that he had not come as a minister but as a farmer, as he is closely associated with agriculture and also practices farming. He said that village development is possible only when farmers in rural areas have adequate income. He added that the government has launched several welfare schemes for farmers and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the aim is to ensure the development of villages, poor and farmers to build a prosperous India. Before attending the agriculture fair, Gadkari also reviewed National Highway (NH) projects. Gadkari reviewed NH projects Union Minister Nitin Gadkari arrived in Raisen after departing from Bhopal around 1 pm. He first reviewed ongoing NH projects and later participated in the agriculture exhibition and training programme. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was also present with him, and both leaders visited the exhibition together. Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Deora was also present on the stage along with the two Union ministers. Meanwhile, police stopped Jitu from reaching Raisen Meanwhile, PCC Chief Jitu Patwari, who was on his way to Raisen to raise farmers’ issues, was stopped by police barricading at Anand Nagar in Bhopal. After a brief argument with police personnel, he returned with his convoy. Patwari alleged that he was prevented from attending the event due to fear of the opposition and said that farmers are being forced to sell wheat at prices below ₹2,000 in mandis. He added that the Congress will continue to raise this issue. See 2 pictures… Patwari under police watch, said – Government is scared of opposition Police had deployed heavy security arrangements, including barricading and even water cannon units, on routes from Bhopal to Raisen. Patwari said he had been informed by police officials that the government did not want him to attend the fair. He further said that he only intended to understand modern agricultural practices and not create confrontation, but the government was uncomfortable with opposition presence. Patwari wanted dialogue, not confrontation Patwari said he had earlier written to seek permission to attend the fair and had expressed that he would visit only if allowed. He reiterated that he wanted dialogue, not confrontation, and claimed he would have attended on the final day if permission was granted. He also criticised the state of farmers, saying that while a large national-level agricultural fair was being organised with ministers and media present, farmers on the ground were still struggling and “crying tears of blood” due to distress.