The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Farmers to soon get guidance on judicious use of fertilizers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 18, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Farmers to soon get guidance on judicious use of fertilizers

Staff Reporter

Over a lakh farmers expected to attend four-day Krishi Mela organised by the UAS

FOR FARMERS: A view of the stalls at the Krishi Mela, which opened in Bangalore on Thursday. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

BANGALORE: If all goes well, farmers will soon get guidance on how much fertilizer to use and when through a computerised analyser that all Raitha Samparka Kendras will soon sport, Agriculture Minister K. Srinivasa Gowda said here on Thursday.

Inaugurating the Krishi Mela 2005, organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) here, aimed at speeding up research and transfer of new technology, Mr. Gowda said the mela, being held in a year that has seen a good monsoon after three years of drought, is expected to see over one lakh farmers visiting it during the next four days.

Over 400 stalls, including 63 devoted to farm equipment, have been put up by the UAS, the departments of Agriculture and Horticulture, private entrepreneurs and non-governmental organisations.

An eye-catching exhibit is the model micro-watershed for small and marginal projects, an on-campus experiment of the UAS. It shows how a smallholding of one hectare can be a "total farm" incorporating livestock, poultry, rabbit rearing, kitchen garden and foodgrains too. The UAS is offering assistance and counselling to farmers interested in taking up this project.

Mr. Gowda said the mela is also showcasing methods and practices that help minimise stress on soil, water and other resources. Less water-intensive, high-yielding varieties of ragi and paddy are on show, apart from new varieties of groundnut, sugarcane, ragi and castor. The UAS has also unveiled varieties of rice, maize, tobacco, and chrysanthemum that will go into production soon.

The Minister said the department has sought Rs. 500 crores to provide minimum support price for jowar, maize and other crops. The Government has already released Rs. 80 crores to farmers so far.

The perishable crop sector in the State is suffering mainly due to the high air-freight charges, though schemes under the National Horticulture Mission will help bring relief to the horticulture and floriculture sectors soon.

Mr. Gowda said he hopes to see a good response to the farm equipment displayed at the mela, since the Government has been giving 50 per cent subsidy on power tillers and other implements and a subsidy of Rs. 60,000 on tractors.

The State has disbursed crop insurance of over Rs. 1,000 crores till now, and there is no funds crunch at all. The Government would release funds for new claims without any delay, he said.

The four-day mela, which ends on November 20, will have seminars for farmers and discussions with UAS faculty on topics such as improved sericulture technology, hi-tech agriculture and horticulture, medicinal and aromatic plants, new irrigation systems and agriculture-related employment opportunities, UAS Vice-Chancellor M.N. Sheelavantar said.

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