Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Jun 28: “The rural development project works as a model in the leadership of Dr D Veerendra Hegde. The project makes the schemes effectively reach the people as a non-governmental project,” said union minister of state for agriculture and farmer’s welfare Shobha Karandlaje.

She was speaking after inaugurating mechanized paddy cultivation and revival of barren land on 2,000-hectare land at Barkur Koodli Udupa’s house premises as part of Dharmastala grama project for the year 2022-23.

“The union and state government have implemented several programmes to encourage farmers such as providing excellent prices for the produce, to solve the problems of labourers and rented service centres to encourage mechanized farming.”

“The centre has set aside Rs 10 lacs crores for development of basic agricultural facilities. The income of farmers will double if the price of the produce grows. Research abroad has proved that coconut milk is as nutritious as mother’s milk. There should be experiments in producing various products from coconuts,” she said.

Dharmastala Dharmadhikar Dr D Veerendra Hegde who presided over the programme said that farmers had reached a stage about five years ago that paddy cultivation was not profitable. “However the mechanized cultivation has provided hope that it is profitable by systematic cultivation. There are several programmes now on department level. Farmers should begin mechanized cultivation. Human efforts are necessary along with the almighty’s blessings,” he said.

“People in this part are hard working. There was severe poverty here about 50 years ago. 90% of houses did not have toilets and there were no schools. There has been revolutionary progress here now,” he said.

Minister of backward classes Kota Srinivas Poojary distributed a nursery tray. Udupi MLA K Raghupathi Bhat distributed details of machines for farming. Former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake distributed a package letter to the federation of Byndoor paddy cultivators. Udupi district joint agricultural director Dr H Kempegowda facilitated the farmers who had cultivated paddy nurseries.

Yadtadi gram panchayat president Savita Devadiga, Rajyotsava agricultural award recipient V Shantarama Shetty, Koodli Sri Janardhan temple managing trustee Dr K Venkataramana Udupa, Janajagrati Vedike Kundapur founder president B Appanna Hegde, Geetananda Foundation convener Anand C Kunder, entrepreneur Srinivas Shettigar, Sampath Samrajya of Ranganakere Barakur Dharmastala grama project and others were present.

Farmers who cultivated land using machinery were felicitated. Mookambika Bhatta Belegarara Okkoota was handed over a cheque of Rs five lacs. Farmers Srinivas Udupa Koodli, Jayalaxmi B Hegde Hiriadka, Sujith Kumar Hegde Kalavara and Krishna Naik Belve were felicitated.

Dharmastala project managing director Dr L H Manjunath welcomed. Lata and the party sang farmer’s songs. Brahmavar taluk project officer Dinesh Sheregar rendered the vote of thanks.

Navin Amin, regional director of agricultural department Manoj Menezes, Udupi district senior director Shivaraya Prabhu and others were present.