Take your work around world: Obama to agri entrepreneurs

Impressed with Indian innovation in the agriculture sector, US President Barack Obama today asked entrepreneurs to take their "remarkable" work around the world.

Taking a tour of the Agriculture and Food Security Expo at St Xavier's College here, the US President displayed a keen interest in the products on display.

He went to the IFFCO Kisan Sanchar stall and enquired about how low-cost services are being extended to Indian farmers through mobile telephones using Airtel's platform.

When a company official explained to him the cost-effectiveness of the handset, the US President said: "It is a great idea. Do it across the world... Great work, keep it up."

The President tried his hands at stripping a corn cob after being inspired by a woman farmer who showcased a small agro tool.

"It reduces woman labour by 30 per cent. It is remarkable," he said, turning to lensmen covering the event.

Earlier, as he stepped inside the venue, Obama took his tie off, feeling the Mumbai heat and humidity. Wearing a white shirt and a black trousers, he had his sleeves rolled up.

When Vandana Bhairikoppe, another farmer and facilitator of agriculture NGO Digital Green, presented him a folded wall hanging, Obama expressed his thanks and said: "I will hang it in the White House."

While shaking hands with one of the farmers dressed in traditional Maharashtrian attire at the exhibition, he said: "Very nice to see you."

At the PepsiCo stall, he picked up a big potato, turned around and asked a White House official, "Will it be expensive? What do you think?"

The President charmed the exhibitors with his down-to-earth nature and easily struck a chord with them.

The exhibition was co-organised by the US Agency for International Development Aid and Indian industry body CII.

Obama also went to a small exhibition by child rights and education NGO Pratham and signed on copies of books on Mahatma Gandhi.