Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jul 10: "Due to various reasons, paddy cultivation, which is prominent especially in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, is declining. To make it profitable, we need to give importance to mechanized cultivation," said Krishna Byre Gowda, state minister for agriculture.
He was speaking after inaugurating a mechanized paddy cultivation campaign at Agrahara village in Bramavar here on Sunday July 10.
"Farmers should be educated on mechanized paddy cultivation in order to make it profitable. Paddy is not only a food grain but also part of our culture. We need to revive paddy cultivation. From past two years, continuous efforts are being made through the agriculture department to increase the paddy production and reduced the expenses. But scarcity of labour and increased wages have hindered farmers from taking up paddy cultivation. With mechanized farming, expense for the entire entire process of cultivation would be only Rs 4,000 per acre, but with manual labour, the cost will come up to Rs 8,000 per acre," he said.
"Machinery for paddy cultivation will be available for rent in Krishi Dhare centres. In the district, there are 7 such agricultural machine centres at present, and if there is demand from the farmers, more centres will be established. Subsidy will also be provided for interested farmers. Farmers are availing benefits through the online market facilities. The government is giving importance to all systems that benefit the farmers," he added.
The minister also suggested the farmers to use alternatives for chemical fertilizers, and to set up nurseries with the help of Sthree Shakti groups and introduce mechanized farming system. "Brahmavar Agriculture Centre and the agricultural department will give necessary information to the farmers," he added.
After releasing a CD on mechanized paddy cultivation, MP Shobha Karandlaje gave information about pesticides and use of fertilizers. Minister Pramod Madhwaraj presided over the programme.
ZP president Dinakar Babu released a technical hand book on agriculture. MLC Pratapchandra Shetty, ZP vice-president Sheela K Shetty, taluk panchayat president Nalini Pradeep, agriculture and industry standing committe president Shashikanth Padubidri and gram panchayat president Saraswathi were present. Dr C Vasudevappa of University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences presented the keynote address while Dr M K Nayak welcomed and M Hanumathappa thanked.
Raita Samparka Kendra inaugurated
Byre Gowda also inaugurated Raita Samparka Kendra the same day.
Addressing the gathering, he said, "Raita Samparka Kendra will solve the problems related to communicating complaints to the agriculture department. Through the Raita Samparka Kendra, agriculture and horticulture experts will be available for farmers. It is a system to communicate directly with farmers.
"Ever since I assumed office, 300 such centres have been established in the state. The agriculture department has been directed not to restrict itself only to distribute agriculture equipment but also give importance to technology and ensure it reaches the farmers.
Pramod Madhwaraj who presided over the programme explained about the government's vision for agriculture and importance of farmers in the production of food.
ZP president Dinakar Babu released a technical hand book on agriculture. MLC Pratapchandra Shetty, ZP vice-president Sheela K Shetty, taluk panchayat president Nalini Pradeep, agriculture and industry standing committe president Shashikanth Padubidri, Sunitha D Shetty, Gopi, K Nayak, Janardhan Thonse, Vasanth Poojary, Dhananjay Kunder, Sulochana and others were present. Joint director of agricultuer Chandrashekar welcomed.