Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (DV)
Udupi, Feb 25: “By giving away agricultural land to industries, in future we may face the problem of importing crops from foreign countries,” said Sri Esha Vittaldasa Swamiji of Kemaru Sandeepani Sadhanaashrama, after inaugurating the farmers’ convention organized by Udupi District Farmers’ Association in Kunjibettu Sharadhamantappa on Sunday February 24.
“Farmers should promise that 'we will not give our farm lands to capitalists'. There should be an organized intellectual revolution to create awareness among the farmers that except for agriculture, the land should not be given to other multi-projects,” he suggested.
“Agriculture is how tradition blends with nature and only the farmers can save it. The produce obtained by farmers should reach the market directly. The mixture of chemicals and corruption in agriculture should be stopped. The educated should move towards agriculture. Pursue agriculture and be happy but don’t sell the land,” stressed the Swamiji.
He also said that government and political representatives should try to give facilities to agriculture. “During the Independence Day celebration, the farmers should hoist the flag not the politicians,” he said.
“Despite saying they will not permit huge projects, leaders of all political parties have gone against their word in the undivided district and this has become the reason for extinction of agriculture,” said Somanath Naik of Guruvyankere Nagarika Seva Trust.
“Dakshina Kannada people may face scarcity of drinking water, if Nethravathi River is diverted. The farmers of the district will suffer due to this project. The environmental commission is not providing authentic information about huge projects. Even to give patents, the universities have deferred to corporate lobbies. Now it is a situation where farmers have to struggle to protect agriculture, nature, and our culture,” he added.
Pro-progress agriculturalist Raghuram Naik Kelarkabettu, Dinesh Shetty Herge, Shrinivasa Poojary Anjaru, and Raghavendra Nayak Shirva were felicitated on this occasion. Three concerts relating to agriculture and an exhibition of agricultural equipment were also conucted.
District Farmers’ Association president Ramakrishna Sharma Buntakallu presided over the event. Vice-president Baskar Shetty and chief secretary Kudhi Shrinivas Bhat read the report. Vice-president Shrinivas Ballal, Mallampalli, welcomed, and secretary Ravindra Poojary Gujarabettu presented the keynote address. Kodankooru Devaraj Moorthy and Padu Kalathooru M Veenu Gopal compered.