'Equipment are available but all are not relevant'

Farmers hope for change in agriculture machines

The farmers attending the workshop on ‘Areca cultivation and use of machineries’, said that though there are several machines and equipment available in the market to help areca cultivation, there are few machines that are worth using in the farms. Farmers opined that the existing machines should undergo changes to suit the requirement of the farmers.

“The designers have to learn the topographic differences in various areca growing areas while designing machines,” said the farmers.

Speaking on the requirements of the areca growers, a progressive farmer from Kasargod and Scientist Dr Chandrashekar Chowta said that agriculture sector has undergone massive changes. Apart from this, there have been changes in techniques of irrigation too, which farmers should be made aware of.

“The equipment and machines available now need to be changed,” he said.“Innovators have to look at machines, which will help application of Bordeaux to arecanut bunches during unfavourable weather conditions,” said Dr Chowta adding that arguing for lesser wage for agriculture workers is not justified because even these workers have talent in them.With regard to areca weeder machines, Dr Chowta said that even these machines have shortcomings in them.

Progressive farmer Padaru Ramkrishna Shastry said that the technology of the machinery designers should undergo changes. “Mechanisation has invaded all sections of the society. With labour crisis gripping agriculture sector the machine manufacturers should focus on producing cost effective machines which can be afforded by even minor farmers,” he said adding that repairing appliances like television, refrigerators etc is easy but when an agriculture equipment goes kaput it is very difficult to get trained mechanics to repair it.

Mamcos Vice-President Narasimha Nayak inaugurated the workshop. The programme was presided over by Campco President Konkodi Padmanabha. Campco Managing Director A S Bhat, Vice-President Sathishchandra Bhandary among others were present.