Silvester D’ Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Jan 26: “There is no question of ban on arecanut in the state. The harmful gutka has already been banned. The union minister of health has already been briefed by a delegation from Karnataka about medicinal properties of arecanut and the difficulties that will be faced by the farmers if it is banned," said Udupi district incharge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake.
He was speaking after inaugurating a festival of agricultural produce ‘Krishi Utsava -2014’ held at the Koteshwar first grade college grounds on Saturday, January 25.
The event was held under the aegis of Udupi district panchayat Udupi district, department of horticulture and other developmental departments, district cooperation and commerce organizations, university of agriculture, association of agriculturists, farmer’s groups, Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project and Udupi district agricultural festival committee.
"The two-day event has been organized to make the farmers self confident and make them aware of the scientific methods of agriculture and facilities available to them. Minister of agriculture will be present during the programme on Sunday for discussions on difficulties and grievances faced by the farmers," he said.
In order to make the farmers get best price for their produce, a support price of Rs 380 is fixed and purchase centers will be opened in Kundapur and Udupi at Rs 1600. So the produce will fetch an extra price of Rs 280.
Udupi zilla panchayat president Upendra Nayak inaugurated a procession of still pictures. Zilla panchayat vice president Mamata R Shetty and agriculture and industries standing committee president Aruna Shetty Padooru released poster with details of technical information.
MP K Jayaprakash Hegde, Kundapur MLA Haladi Srinivas Shetty, Byndoor MLA K Gopal Poojary, Vidhana Parishat member Kota Srinivasa Poojary, Kundapur Taluk panchayat president Deepika S Shetty, Karkala Taluk panchayat president Rashmi R Shetty, Social justice standing committee president Udaya S Kotian, Health and education standing committee president Ganapathi T Sriyan, Taluk panchayat member Manju Billava, Zilla panchayat member Prakash Mendon, Kundapur A P M C president Deenapal Shetty, Dr L H Manjunatha, Udupi commissioner Dr M T Reju, Udupi district chief executive official M Kanagavalli, Kundapur Tahsildar Gayatri N Nayak, executive official Adolphus Fernandes, Kundapur assistant director of agriculture N Ramadas Rai and others were present.
Two sessions of discussions were held under the participation of resource persons after the programme on day one.
Udupi district joint director of agriculture, Antony Maria Immanuel M gave an introductory speech. Kundapur assistant commissioner Yogishwar welcomed the gathering. Ganesh Gangolli group sang local village songs. Teacher Ashok Thekkatte and Ramachandra conducted the programme.