CARPS on College of Fisheries Campus launched by Minister V Nadagowda
- CARPS {Centre for Applied Research on Problematic Soils} near Krishi Vignana Kendra (KVK) on the premises of College of Fisheries at Yekkur, was launched today, 17 July by Venkatrao Nadagowda- State Minister for Animal and Fisheries
Mangaluru: CARPS {Centre for Applied Research on Problematic Soils} near Krishi Vignana Kendra (KVK) on the premises of College of Fisheries at Yekkur, was launched today, 17 July by Venkatrao Nadagowda- State Minister for Animal and Fisheries. The Mobile Spoil and Water Laboratory was also inaugurated by the Minister. This new research centre is dedicated to the Nation during the Golden Jubilee Year of College of Fisheries-Mangaluru {1969-2019} on the occasion of National Fish Farmers Day 2018. The Centre will function under the auspices of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Bidar.
The National Fish Farmers Day was inaugurated by Dr H D Narayaswamy -Vice Chancellor-KVAFSU, Bidar. Minister for Animal Husbandry Venkata Rao Nadagowda said that persons who will come forward to run dairy farming, poultry, sheep farming and fishing would be encouraged with the schemes available. Officials of the Animal Husbandry, who are on deputation elsewhere, will be brought back to the mother department to ensure effective and expeditious works. He also assured that the schemes which had implemented by the then Congress government would be continued.
Shivakumar Magada, professor of Aquatic Biology, College Of Fisheries and who also heads the KVK, which is under the university, speaking to Team Mangalorean said that the university, which has given administrative approval for the centre, has sanctioned Rs. 25 lakh for it. And we are happy that the centre is inaugurated today, 17 July 2018. He further said, “The centre will conduct collaborative research on improving the condition of problematic soils to make them productive for food production. Farmers could get soil and water analysis done in the centre. In addition, it would have a mobile soil and water analysis laboratory to reach the doorsteps of farmers.”
“CARPS will have an overview of problems and perspectives and the way forward to utilise problematic soils for food production. The core research team would take up need-based research and reach out to the beneficiaries at a faster rate,” he said. It is aimed at bringing all the stakeholders together to do research on various crops, vegetables, fodder, fisheries, aquaponics to increase the production and productivity. Soil acidity and salinity is a major increasing problem in irrigated areas. Though there are many technologies like subsurface drainage, deep trenches either side of the land, crop rotation, green manure crop cultivation during crop break, looking at the economics, farmers tend to leave such lands fallow, he said. A number of factors are responsible for the formation of acidic, saline and alkaline soils,” added Magada.
He further said, “These factors are mainly geological, climatic, hydrological and human-induced in nature. Although, many efforts have been made for the development and utilization of problematic soil using resistant crop, better irrigation methods, but there has been little impact on the farmer’s field. The centre would have a director of research, an advisory board, a head, two assistant professors, laboratory assistant, field assistant and other supporting staff. National Fisheries Development Board is funding the project.” Magada said that an old building constructed in 1946 near the KVK was now converted as the centre. This centre was lying idle since past 13 years after the agriculture research station which was in the same building was shifted to Brahmavar in Udupi district.
Other guests present on the occasion were Meenakshi Shantigodu-President, Zilla Panchayat-DK; Mallikarjun Biradar-Member, BoM, KVAFSU-Bidar, among many others. Dr M N Venugopal-Dean and Campus Head, College of Fisheries-Mangaluru also graced the occasion.
Besant Women’s College Students take part in Paddy Planting at Krishi Vignana Kendra (KVK)
Department of sociology organised an outreach activity “experiential learning and an alternative lesson about farming and agriculture by planting paddy at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) during today’s programme. True life experience for students by participating in the wet field along with farmers to understand the reality of life. Nearly 30 students were joined by Ms Shirley Rani-HOD-Dept of Sociology, and also their College Principal Dr Satish Kumar Shetty, and College Correspondent Devanand Pai.
