Udupi: The Udupi district Krishika Sangha organized Raita Samavesha-2016 at the Sharada Kalyana Mantap here on Sunday, February 14.
The convention began with a Raitha Geethe by Raghavendra Acharya, Shrinivas Ballal Vice President of Krishika Sangha welcomed the gathering. Shri Vidhyavallbha Thirtha Swamiji of Kaniyoor Math inaugurated the convention by lighting the lamp.
In his inaugural message Shri Vidhyavallbha Thirtha Swamiji regretted and said that, it is a great tragedy that farmers, who provide food to the whole country, are committing suicide. Farmers are the backbone of the country. Farmers are committing suicide one after the other from the last few months. This is a very painful thing.
Today all governments are neglecting farmers across the country. Farmers are committing suicide following crop loss and being unable to repay the loan. The government should listen to the woes of the farmers and the peoples representatives should instill confidence among farmers. The government should fine-tune and strengthen the system to instill confidence among the farmers, he added. 
Farmer activist Narashima Nayak Thirthahalli delivered the keynote address on this occasion. A agriculture expo was organized and a wide variety of medicinal plants, ornamental plant saplings, plantation crops and fruits were displayed. Agro machinery of various types stole the show. Kinds of machinery that were exhibited, demonstrated the traditional farming patterns, besides introducing mechanization for higher yields. Organic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides were displayed. Books offering knowledge on different types of cultivation like seasonal and traditional cultivation were on sale. Traditional Indian medicines were also displayed on the occasion.
Best Farmers M Bhaskar Shetty Uchila, Ravi Poojary Kurkalu, Anthappa Perampalli, Sampa S Bangera Herebettu, Ali Abba Uchila were honoured on the occasion.
Shalini Shetty Regional Manager Vijaya Bank, Manjunath Upadhya former governer Rotary Club, Shrinivas Bhat Kudi general Secretary, Ravindra Poojary Gujjarbettu Ramakrishna Sharma Bantakallu were present.
