He was speaking after inaugurating a one-day workshop for the Horticulture Department officials on ‘Micro Irrigation System’ organised by the Institute of Engineers in association with Micro Irrigation Society of India (MISI) and Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka.
“There is a drastic depletion in the ground water level. In the City alone there are more than one lakh borewell, this is causing a major threat to the ground water level. At the command areas the depletion level is nearly 5-6 meters and in the non command areas the ground water level is 8-15 meters. Adopting the micro irrigation systems can control the depletion of ground water level, “he added. Speaking on this occasion, Institute of Engineers Mysore Local Centre Chairman M Lakshmana said, “This workshop focuses on creating an awareness to the officials with regard to the various rules and regulations related to the micro irrigation systems. The Urban population has gone up drastically to 35 crore when compared to 5 crore in1950 and Karnataka stands first in farmers’ suicide.”
“Nearly 99 per cent of the agricultural materials available in the market are fake. The fake pumpsets are sold in the market with an ISI mark on them.
The concerned department should chalkout some ideas to stop this particular problem. There is a need to protect the farmers in order to protect our country. Even though the available ground water is only 0.26 per cent, we have not been able to use it effectively.
Micro Irrigation Society of India (MISI) Chairman Mruthunjaya, Institute of Engineers Karnataka State Centre Chairman M Chowdegowda were also present on the occasion.