From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 2: Karnataka is implementing programmes aimed at doubling income of farmers as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday.

He was addressing a function after inaugurating online the Horticulture Festival organized by the Bagalkot Horticulture University from his Home Office of Krishna in Bengaluru.

The State Government was taking proactive steps to introduce new technological interventions for value addition of the horticultural produce, processing, storage and packaging in collaboration with the Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI) and Indian Horticultural Institute, the Chief Minister said.

Yediyurappa said the State Government was implementing all programmes to enable the declaring horticulture as an industry and get all necessary benefits available to industrial entrepreneurs.

The Chief Minister said over 27,000 metric tonnes of agriculture produce has been transported through the Kisan Rails. The Prime Minister had recently flagged off the 100th Kisan Rail.

Karnataka will be a major beneficiary with the introduction of Kisan Rails as horticulture produce like pomegranate, oranges etc. which are among quickly perishable items can be transported to get better markets and prices in other states, Yediyurappa said.

Pointing out that Karnataka was in the forefront of horticulture production in the country, he said the State Government was committed to maintain its lead and register further achievements by giving impetus to research, extension activities and other development of infrastructure facilities.

Deputy Chief Minister Govind M Karjol said the expansion of area under horticulture was proof that the cultivation of horticultural crops had proved beneficial to farmers. It was necessary to give further fillip for research and develop new hybrid crops that provide greater yield to farmers.

Karjol warmly appreciated the training and extension activities conducted by the Horticulture University and said the benefits must reach all growers.

Horticulture Minister Narayan Gowda said the State Government’s efforts and steps to give a boost to horticulture was likely to result in increase of Karnataka’s horticultural exports from the present 2.5% to 5%. The State Government would implement more schemes beneficial to the development of horticulture, he said.

Bagalkot BJP MLA Veeranna Charanthimath, Congress Opposition leader in the Council S R Patil and Horticulture University Vice Chancellor Dr Indresh were among the dignitaries who were present at the function.

Earlier, the Chief Minister conducted a virtual inauguration of the State level youth festival 2020-21 organized by the State Youth Services Department.

Deputy Chief Minister Govind M Karjol, Chief Minister’s adviser M Lakshminarayana, Youth Empowerment and Sports Department Additional Chief Secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Minister’s Secretary Dr S Selvakumar and Girish Hosur and other officials attended the function.