JOIN USRaitha Dasara has much to offer
This was what J K Ground in the heart of the city has on offer for raitha dasara, an exclusive programme for the benefit of farmers, that began on Thursday.
Though the expo was not bereft of vacant stalls, one side of the expo was occupied with most of the departments- agriculture, horticulture, veterinary and animal husbandry and fisheries displaying various programmes devised by the government.
Organic farming that is fast catching up among a section of farmers interested in taking the plunge leaving behind traditional method, welcomes the visitors for occupying the space in the front. Besides providing a glimpse of foodgrains and other products grown using the method, another stall in the neighbourhood had journals for subscription. The horticulture department was also not behind in exhibiting an array of products, especially papaya, coconut among several others that had a rare distinction for weighing more than the normal produce.
The department of watershed had recreated landscape with various water sources and awareness messages explaining in short about the significance of the soil among others. Farming related equipment like- tractors to tillers and also sowing machine, and fertilisers and manure were also on display.
Earlier, a rally was taken out from Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple to the programme venue. Caparisoned bullocks pulling well decorated carts, and women cleaning the produce in a traditional method, a common scene after harvest in the rural parts was the highlight.
In his inaugural address, agriculture minister Umesh V Kathi said that the BJP government since Yeddyurappa as chief minister has been giving impetus to agriculture. It is being continued by his successor D V Sadananda Gowda.
Nearly Rs 150 crore has been spent on purchasing equipment. The loan advancing scheme too has been enhanced for the benefit of agrarian community.
Experts in the realm and also successful farmers were felicitated for their achievements.
Medical education and district in-charge minister S A Ramdas, Raitha Dasara Sub-committee deputy special officer and ZP CEO G Satyavathi, KHB chairman G T Devegowda, ZP chief Suneetha Veerappa Gowda, vice-president Shivaram, chairman of the sub-committee Hinkal Srinivas Gowda and others were present.