Krishi utsav begins in Mangaluru

Krishi utsav begins in Mangaluru

Mangalore Today News Network

Mudipu, Nov 9, 2014: Delivering an address to those present after inaugurating "Krishi Utsav - 2014" jointly organised by Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Programme, Mangalore University and other organisations, at Mangala auditorium at University campus on November 8,  Saturday, District-inCharge Minister B Ramanath Rai,  recalled  the days when peasants and farmers were harassed, he said after they got the land rights, they could lead better life. It changed the socio-economic condition of the district. Agriculture can not survive without strengthening the farmers. The farmers should utilise modern equipment  continue the traditional farming for sustainability, he said. Despite the implementation of Land Reforms Act that allowed peasants to own the land, paddy cultivation has seen a setback in the district. Farmers taking up more profit-oriented horticulture based crops from the traditional paddy cultivation, has hindered paddy cultivation he said.

 

 

Senior politician Ibrahim Kodijal too observed that paddy cultivation has drastically reduced  due to importance given to commercial crops. A few years back ‘Akki Mudi’ (round rice in  hay-packs) were seen in everyone’s house, but today we can only find rice bags. There is a need to understand the significance of agriculture and move in a proper  direction.

Presiding over the programme, Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof K Bhairappa said that India has seen a lot of progress in the field of agriculture due to green revolution. Five decades ago the country used to import rice and wheat in a large quantity, but the scenario has changed now. The farmers should come out of the notion that agriculture is a tough profession due to lack of labourers. They should replace labourers with machines and stress on automated farming. The government should take steps on the lines of Japan to purchase excess agriculture from produce and reward the farmers and make available goods to the people at better rates sustaining a strong economy.