Pics by Justin D’Silva/Harshini
Daijiworld Media Network - (HB)
Brahmavar, Oct 20: “A college of agriculture will come up soon in Brahmavar. Youths are going away from the agriculture because they think that it is non-profitable business,” said MLA Raghupati Bhat at Krishi Mela -2019.
The two-day 'Krishi Mela -2019' was inaugurated by MLA Raghupati Bhat at KVK Brahmavar here on Saturday, October 19. Thousands of people enjoyed the mela and were seen purchasing saplings, dress, kitchen accessories and agricultural related products.
The mela was organized by Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Brahmavar under the jurisdiction of University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga and in collaboration with Agricultural Diploma College, Brahmavar, Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Ullal, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Brahmavar and Mangaluru, Agriculture Department, Udupi, Directorate of Cashew and Cocoa Development, Cochin, Canara Bank, Brahmavar, District Krishik Samaja, Udupi and Mangaluru and SKDRDP, Udupi.
Speaking on the occasion, Raghupati Bhat said, “I will try to get permission for opening a college of agriculture in Brahmavar in the next year. I will also discuss with the chief minister about the proposed college and will add this proposal in next year’s budget, which will be in February 2020,”
“In 2012 we have got approval for Agri-College. Later on, the proposal was dropped by the government. Rs five crore was sanctioned also for the same. But due to some technical reason, it was ignored. If necessary, a delegation of agriculture department officers will meet the CM. The necessary land for building college is available,” he added.
“Today’s youth are going away from the agriculture due to low wage; they also want to go abroad for employment. They are not attracted to agriculture mainly due to the lack of availability of daily wage labourers and for the fact that agriculture is not a profitable profession anymore,” Bhat said.
“Today fertile lands are becoming barren. Youths think that agriculture is not a respectable profession. There is no respect for farm life. It is the responsibility of various departments to bring the youngsters back to agricultural and supportive activities.
“There is need to adopt more mechanization in agriculture to make agriculture as a profitable one. It will be possible to make more profit at low cost and it will help in reducing labour.” Bhat concluded.
Dr M K Naik, vice chancellor, UAHS, Shivamogga, presided over the programme.
In his address Dr Naik said, “Political will, farmer’s effort and scientists’ skill will make agriculture better. The government should focus on lessening the production cost and doubling of income of the farmers. Farmers should adopt advanced technology and hybrid paddy to improve their production. India is good in production but today’s farmers are facing uncertainty in weather condition. There is no security of nutrition. That is why 30% of children are suffering from malnutrition.”
M K Naik expressed his pain over farmer’s life and said that everyone is free from hunger but farmers' pockets are not filled. They are not getting valid price for their crops.
Zilla panchayat president Dinakar Babu unveiled the Hybrid paddy breed Sahyadri Panchamukhi and vice president Sheela K Shetty unveiled Sahyadri compost. Taluk panchayat president Neethu Poojary released Sahyadri ere jala.
Neethu Y Patil, M H Chandrappa, AHUS, B A Ramesh Hegde, M H Krishnamurthy, members of management board. Uday S Kotian, district president, Agriculture and industrial standing committee, Saraswathi, president, Chanthar grama panchayat, Sudhakar Shetty and others were present.
Dr S U Patil, associate director and extension of ZAHR Brahmavar welcomed the gathering and Dr Dhananjay, researcher rendered the vote of thanks.
Hybrid paddy breed Sahyadri Panchamukhi was the center of attraction of the mela. Sahyadri panchamukhi breed is suitable for flood affected areas as it has the power of withstanding the flood.
Colourful flower saplings, automobile accessories, agriculture related machines, variety of vegetable seeds, clothes, vegetables, mushroom growing in terrace garden etc. were in the agriculture expo.
High yielding rice varieties and seed production, preparation of nursery and method of paddy cultivation, multi storied cropping system and nutrient management in coconut and areca nut, grafting techniques in Horticulture crops, terrace gardening and spine gourd, organic manures, compost, vermi compost and diary, fisheries, goat, rabbit, poultry, pig and duck rearing, hydroponics, CO-4 and CO-5 fodder grass production, Bio-gas production units and value added foods products were in the exhibition.