Krishna Byre Gowda launches Mechanized Paddy cultivation campaign
Udupi: An Awareness campaign of Mechanized Paddy cultivation was inaugurated at Agrahara Brahmavar here, on July 10.
The awareness campaign was inaugurated by Krishna Byre Gowda Minister of State for Agriculture by planting the paddy saplings using a Mechanised Paddy cultivation machine.
In his inaugural message Krishna Byre Gowda said that Paddy is a prominent crop of the coastal region, it represents the culture of this region. Paddy has to be promoted as a profitable crop and it has to be effectively promoted. Paddy is cultivated in 1.30 lakh acres of land in Udupi. The government is planning to introduce reforms in paddy cultivation.
The cultivation of paddy saplings is a difficult task. Self-help groups should cooperate with farmers in effective cultivation of paddy saplings. The local agricultural centre will promote paddy nurseries. 7 centres are functioning here which rent agricultural machinery. There are 170 agricultural machinery centres which rent machinery and tools to farmers. The government intends to promote 370 centres. Farmers should be sensitized on the use of agricultural machinery, he added.
Udupi-Chikkamangluru LS Constituency MP Shobha Karandlaje said that we should be empowered in cultivating paddy. Agricultural land is not effectively cultivated in our district, the government should promote farmers in cultivating paddy. The Varahi project should be utilized for farming. Banned chemicals should not be used by farmers for agriculture, she added.
Pramod Madhwaraj district minister in-charge presided over the programme. Prathapchandra Shetty, MLC; Dinkar Babu President Zilla Panchyat; Githanjali Suvarna; Sudhakar Shetty ZP members; Sheela K Shetty vice president ZP; Saraswathi Naik president Chantharu Grama Panchayat; Nalini Pradeep Rao president Udupi TP and others were also present.
Dr C Vasudevappa vice chancellor Shimoga Agriculture and Horticulture University delivered the introductory remarks, Research director Dr M K Naik welcomed the gathering. KVC research director Dr Hanumanthappa delivered the vote of thanks.