Technical meet on seeds,pesticides held

Member of Legislative Assembly H S Prakash on Tuesday stressed on giving timely help for farmers eventhough they knew more about agriculture.

Speaking at a technical convention organised jointly by Agricultural Equipment Dealers Association and Department of Agriculture in Hassan on Tuesday, he said the district is much ahead in agricultural activities. More than 70 per cent of the families are dependent on agriculture which has a bearing on trade too. The politicians have failed to understand problems of farmers.

Introspecting on how to solve the farmer’s issue should be top of their agenda, as the development of the district depends on farmers.

It was high time officials of the Department of Agriculture help farmers who were dejected owing to huge losses suffered in agriculture and caught in debt trap. Meetings should be convened regularly in taluks and explain them about the schemes available for them.
Besides, the officials should periodically inspect the shops selling seeds and pesticides to check the genuinity of the products. It would not only help farmers but also traders, he stated.

B Shivaraj, deputy director, Department of Agriculture said certain guidelines need to be followed while selling seeds and fertilisers. The main objective of the department was to create awareness among farmers on the same.

He also flayed the vendors for hoarding of seeds and fertilisers and go hiding during surprise inspection by officials. A conducive environment should be created so that the sales is done in a transparent manner and then only they gain confidence of farmers.

Manjula of Seed Testing Lab, Bangalore, delivered a lecture. K M Shivanna, Jayaswamy and others were present.