MYSORE: A strategic and systematic extension programme that helps in reaching the latest technology to farmers can trigger a spectacular progress in sericulture, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, R. Dwarakinath, said here on Friday.

Inaugurating a seminar on "Sericultural extension management" organised by the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSR&TI), Dr. Dwarakinath regretted that the achievements in sericulture are reaching only elite farmers.

With access to the latest technology being limited to elite farmers, who constitute only three per cent, a majority of farmers are unable to realise the full potential of sericulture. Hence, strategic extension efforts should be made to reach the achievements in sericulture to all farmers, he said.

"Sericulture extension has so far done a commendable job in reaching and empowering elite farmers. The next step in sericulture extension is to reach the best practices to the middle-level farmers," he said.

Explaining the significance of sericulture, Dr. Dwarakinath said sericulture has become a leader in agriculture development. "Today, it is a hi-tech and high-value farm enterprise. It is the most eligible economic option in farming. It has become the most visible means for wealth creation and livelihood improvement," he said.

Presiding over the function, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Silk Board H. Basker said inadequate resources and manpower have adversely affected the extension work of the State Sericulture Department. Sericulture extension officers have not been able discharge their duty in reaching the achievements to farmers. He admitted that lack of resources, which include non-availability of sufficient number of vehicles for the extension work, is one of the reasons for the failure. However, he praised the part-time extension officers, who are doing a good job of remaining accessible to farmers.

The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, M. Mahadevappa, said the Technology Transfer Task Force constituted by the Government has sufficient funds at its disposal for extension activities. Prof. Mahadevappa, who is the head of the task force, urged non-governmental organisations and universities to make use of the task force for extension activities in sericulture. S B Dandin, CSR& TI Director, spoke.

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