Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Oct 9: "Everyone is speaking about the deaths of farmers these days. But nobody talks of the problems that lead to those deaths. A true farmer is not a beggar waiting for compensation. He is a self-made man," said K M Udupa, managing trustee, Bharathiya Vikas Trust.
He was speaking after inaugurating 'Kshetrotsava', an awareness programme on agriculture held in Brahmavar Zonal Agriculture and Horticulture Research Center under the aegis of different government departments, groups, and associations on Friday October 9.
"The production of milk has increased as milk is fetching fixed prices. Similarly, a fixed price for agricultural produce and suitable market for it is the need of the hour. India is famous for agriculture. The results of research should reach the agricultural land. Use of technology in agriculture should increase," he said.
"Paddy alone does not constitute agriculture. Commercial crops, fruits, vegetable, poultry breeding, and such mixed agriculture alone will lead to profits. The agricultural research centers are not white horses. Those are equivalent of shrines for farmers. They should be used judiciously," he said.
Shivamogga Agriculture and Horticulture University vice-chancellor Dr C Vasudevappa presided over the programme. Zilla panchayat member Mallika Balakrishna Poojary inaugurated the exhibition. Agriculture and industries local committee president Arun Shetty Padooru released a booklet on technology. Chantaru grama panchayat president Saraswathi Naik distributed banana saplings and Varamballi grama panchayat president Nithyananda B R distributed grass seeds.
Zilla panchayat member Gopi K Naik, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Agricultural Society president S D Sampath Samrajya, different department heads Suresh Hagade, Sathish, Rakesh, Dr P Narayana Swamy, Dr Hanumantappa, Dr T H Gowda, and Sadashiva Rao were present as guests.
Co-research director Dr M Hanumanthappa welcomed and Dr B Dhananjay proposed the vote of thanks. Sanjeeva Kyathappanavar compered the programme.