Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network –Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Jan 28: Minister of fisheries, youth empowerment, sports and district in-charge Pramod Madhwaraj on Saturday January 28 inaugurated the Farmer Service Centre. He also inaugurated district-level fruit and flower exhibition and organic grain fair. The exhibition will be open for public till January 30.
Addressing the gathering, Madhwaraj said, "May the Farmer Service Centre fulfil the demands of farmers. The centre has been opened for the all-round development of farmers under national agricultural evolution project. I urge everyone to use the centre to improve the financial situation of farmers.
"Let it be used for the betterment of farmers and people," he said.
As many as 16 permanent shops and canteen have been allotted to people who are involved in farming and horticulture after receiving applications from organizations selling farm produce under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner.
Agricultural equipment, organic products, bio manure, fruits and vegetable, flower design shop, women's businesses, green forum, nectar honey and service centre of agricultural equipment are found in the building. Horticulture officials said that the shops will be available for public use after January 28.
The minister offered his respects to the father of horticulture M H Marigouder. He watched the exhibition completely and obtained information from officials.
Corporation president Meenakshi Madhava Bannanje, vice president Sandhya Thilak, Janardhan Bhandarkar, Kunadapur council president Jayashree Mogaveera were present.
Deputy director of the department of horticulture, Bhuvaneshwari, agricultural department joint director Chandrashekar and other officials were present.
Sanjiva Nayak of the department of horticulture compered the programme.
‘Let agriculture be profitable and flower business grow’
District panchayat vice president Sheela K Shetty said that agriculture should be profitable so that farmers may remain in it. “The produce should have quality and the market value should be fixed,” she said.
“The government is pro farmer. The programme held today has stressed on mixed vegetation, and all round farming,” she added.
District panchayat president Dinakar Babu who inaugurated the programme said that programmes such as these may encourage farming. Deputy Commissioner T Venkatesh said that the programmes are necessary to be self reliant in food and attract the minds of people towards pulses.
As many as 200 students from school farmer association will participate in a seminar on farming during the exhibition.
Facilities were distributed for terrace gardening, kitchen gardening, jasmine growers and Muttu gullu growers.
Jerome Victor D’Silva who was awarded as the excellent farmer award under Atma project was felicitated.
Vidhana Parishat member Kota Srinivas Poojary, agriculture and industry standing committee president Shashikanth Padubidri, director in-charge of development of crop and project officer Anthony, KVK co research director Dr M Hanumantappa, district agriculture society’s Ashok Kumar Kudgi, Zilla panchayat member Shilpa Suvarna, organic agriculture union’s Devadas Hebbar, Thimmanna Hegde, Hopcom’s Laxmi Narayan spoke on the occasion.
Rangoli made up of various pulses attracted the people. The exhibition of millets in the exhibition of fruits and flowers was attractive. The exhibition gave details of health benefits of the consumption of millets.
Horticulture department deputy director Bhuvaneshwari welcomed. Joint director of the department of agriculture Chandrashekar Naik proposed vote of thanks. Senior assistant director of the department of horticulture, Sanjiva Naik compered the programme.
A musical programme by Ganesh Gangolli was held. The exhibition will be held till January 30.