Award-winning farmer speaks on growing tur in dryland

Farmers Day special

He spoke at the tur dal festival as part of the Farmers’ Day programme organised by the Department for Agriculture in the farm of Somashekhar at Doddahasala on Friday.

Felicitated during the programme, Chandrashekhar explained that farmers had to face the bitter truth of the borewells in the district drying up. “Instead of being put off by such circumstances, farmers should grow alternative crops using rainwater.”

Small and medium farmers can also grow a good quantity of crops in whatever small pieces of land they have. “However, it is equally important that other members of the family move beyond only agriculture. They should get educated and involve themselves in other fields to earn their bread,” he advised.

Chandrashekhar rued that farming machinery is made available only to big farmers. “The machines should be within the reach of small farmers too. Also, the loan rates of interest charged for these farmers to purchase such machines should be reduced.”

Chowdeshwari, Zilla Panchayat member, advised farmers to necessarily ignore the eucalyptus crop,  as it consumes moisture in the soil to a dangerous level.

“If farmers take the initiative to replace the eucalyptus trees with other plants, it would help the district in the future, as the underground water level can be replenished. This will also aid agricultural activities,” she added.

S B Munivenkatappa, another member, lauded Somashekhar’s success at growing tur using rainwater and dryland farming techniques. “Growing tur is proving a profitable venture. Farmers should take note of this fact and try adapting to it,” he said.

Taluk Panchayat president N Ramadevi, Silk Department assistant director Krishnappa and Gram Panchayat president Chennakeshava also spoke on the occasion.

Zaheer Pasha, scientist at the Kuruburu Agricultural Science Centre, and Anjaneya Reddy, principal of the Kolar Horticultural College, spoke on profitable agricultural activities.
M Gayathri, assistant director of the Department of Agriculture, made the inaugural speech.

Felicitation

B M Muniyappa of Bettahosapura won the first prize in the yield and harvest contest for 2010-11. Kadirareddy of Janapanahalli was second and G Srinivasaiah was third in the contest.

Sunil and Byramma, who had been awarded the best farmer prize at taluk-level, and Vijayalakshmi, who was awarded the best farmer prize at district-level as well as Rukmini and progressive farmer Byregowda, who had won the Agricultural Award at district-level for 2010-11 were felicitated at the programme.