Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 30: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Saturday emphasized the importance of engaging the youth in farming and making them understand how paddy is cultivated. He said that the Revenue Department would conduct a survey of fallow agricultural lands in Ullal taluk, and in coordination with the Agriculture Department, cooperative societies, and local organizations, a plan would be drawn up to build a more fertile and productive Ullal.
He was speaking after launching the 'Village Connect Campaign' programme ‘Students and Youth Walk Towards Agriculture’ at Pilaru Bail, Someshwar village. The event was organized by Kotekar Agricultural Service Cooperative Society, Media Centre Thokkottu, Ullal Taluk Working Journalists’ Association, and Dakshina Kannada PU College Principals’ Association, with the support of Mangaluru Agriculture Department, Sri Balanjaneya Vyayama Shale Pilaru, and technical guidance from Mangaluru Krishi Vijnana Kendra.
Khader pointed out that experiencing farm labour first-hand gives students a deeper appreciation of food and the struggles of farmers. “Only when students see the hardships of farmers can they truly understand the value of the rice they eat. Such initiatives are not only educational but also socially meaningful. The success of such programmes requires the support of organizations and institutions,” he added. He also announced that a model paddy farming project would be discussed and finalized before January.
The programme saw over 300 students from 11 PU colleges participate in half-day agricultural activities along with local farmers on four-and-a-half acres of farmland. Khader personally took part by tying a traditional plough to bullocks and demonstrating ploughing, followed by using a power tiller with the students. He then joined them in planting paddy saplings and concluded by singing and dancing to a farm song with the students in the field.
Kotekar Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha president Krishna Shetty Kelagina Kotekaruguttu presided over the event. Others present included former president Sadashiva Ullal, Joint Agriculture Director Dr Honnappa Govind Gowda, Krishi Vijnana Kendra head Dr T J Ramesh, scientist Dr Harish Shenai, progressive farmers Seetharam Shetty Pilaru and Eshwar Shetty Pilaru, NRI social worker Praveen Shetty Pilaru, PU Principals’ Association president Jayanand N Suvarna, Jyothi Chelyaru, Yusuf, Poornima D, Someshwar Town Municipality vice-president Ravishankar Someshwar, members Sapna Shetty, Purushottam Shetty Pilaru, Deepak Pilaru, nominated member Sridhar Alva, Balanjaneya Vyayama Shale president Purandar Das, progressive farmer Gangayya Gatti Pilaru, K B Aboosali Kinya, executive officer Harshavardhan Ullal, directors K Krishnappa Salyan, Gangadhar U, Uday Kumar Shetty Kondanaguttu, Arun Kumar U, Raghav R Uchchil, Surekha Chandrahass, among others.
The programme began with a welcome by lecturer Umesh Mudipu, introductory remarks by Kittel PU College principal Vithal A, vote of thanks by Shashidhar Poyyattabail, and agricultural guidance by Sanjeev Pilar.
Participating institutions included: Kittel PU College Gorigudde, Hira PU College Babbukatte, Government PU College Nalyapadavu, Government PU College Hampankatte, Morarji Desai PU College Asaigoli, Tippu Sultan PU College Ombattukere, Kanachur PU College Deralakatte, Kunil PU College Natekal, St Sebastian PU College Permannur, Nitte Shankar Adyanthaya PU College Nanthoor, and Kittel PU College Gorigudde.