Govt. schemes should be delivered more effectively to farmers: Srinivas Poojary

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary on Saturday said schemes of the Central and State governments for value addition to agricultural and horticultural produce should be delivered more effectively to the farming community to make farmers self-reliant.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Agriculture and Horticulture Fair at the Regional Agriculture and Horticulture Research Centre in Brahmavara, organised in collaboration with Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agriculture and Horticultural Sciences (KSNUAHS), Shivamogga, and others.

The MP said, “We are witnessing many changes in agriculture in line with the current standard of living and technology. Today, more than 100 varieties of rice are being exhibited at the agricultural fair. This provides an opportunity for future generations in the farming community to build a livelihood.” He said significant changes were being witnessed in horticulture as well. Many people have improved their lives by cultivating multiple crops along with horticultural crops. There are examples before us of people sustaining themselves in society by relying on agriculture and horticulture for their livelihood.

Karnataka Coastal Development Board Chairman M.A. Gafur said, “Ours is an agricultural country. By implementing the Land Reforms Act, D. Devaraj Urs made about six lakh families in the coastal region landowners. Rice, sugarcane, arecanut and other crops are being grown in the coastal districts.”

He said Varahi water should be made available to farmers in the district, who have shown that a variety of crops can be grown even on small holdings. “Let us make a concerted effort to provide all kinds of support to farmers,” he said.

KSNUAHS Vice-Chancellor M.V. Dhananjaya, in his introductory address, said agriculture in coastal Karnataka is highly profitable. “We should continue to be climate-resilient, sustainable and technology-driven. Farmers should emerge as entrepreneurs by utilising opportunities for value addition,” he said.

The Agriculture Department released a technical handbook and the manuscript titled Chandada Maneyodatiyinda Andada Tarasi Tota (A beautiful terrace garden from a beautiful landlady). On the occasion, progressive farmers who won first place in the paddy crop competition under the Department of Agriculture’s ATMA Yojana between 2020-21 and 2024-25 were felicitated.

President of the Udupi District Farmers’ Society Ashok Kumar Kodgi, president of the Brahmavar Taluk Farmers’ Society P. Vaikuntha Herle, Joint Director of Agriculture G.C. Poornima, Joint Director of Horticulture Kshama Patil, Research Director of the Brahmavara Centre S. Sridhar, Extension Director Raghavendra K. Mesta, and others were present.