Presenting the Krishi Pandit awards and also State-level “Krishi Prashasthis” for 2006-07 at the Banquet Hall of Vidhan a Soudha on Thursday, Thakur said in the agriculture sector these innovative farmers can be a great source of inspiration to their fellow farmers, thereby making agriculture a profitable profession. “We must do everything to restore faith and pride among the farming activity,” he asserted.
The governor emphasised that Karnataka was the only State in the country which had brought out an agriculture policy.
“The policy is in tune with the National Development Council policy and is farmer-centric. The policy aims to double the production in ten years. Besides, it would enable the State to become a significant player in global market in increasing production, effecting higher efficiency and great value addition to the farm produce”, he added.
Assembly Speaker Krishna suggested giving interest free loans to the small and marginal farmers to enable them to expand their activities and also increase food production.
Referring to the farm loans being given at four per cent interest rate by cooperative societies, Krishna regretted that only one third of the farming community got benefited by the scheme, as only one third of farmers were members of cooperative societies.
Council Chairman B K Chandrashekar underscored the need for greater coordination between the agriculture research and extension activity.
Emphaisisng the greater need to involve farmers in formulating policy, Prof Chadrashekhar added that the sector would undergo drastic progress if more private investment was encouraged.
Principal Secretary to Agriculture and Horticulture Department A Ramaswamy said plans were afoot to convert 75 lakh hectare waste land in the State into cultivable land.
Referring to State government’s scheme to lend cooperative loans at 4 per cent rate of interest, he said pressure was being laid on commercial banks to lend loans to farmers at the same interest rate.
While the Krishi Pandit awards were conferred on 17 farmers, the State- level Krishi Prashasthis were awarded to 22 farmers.
