JOIN USAs many as five crops will be grown in 10 clusters in Dakshina Kannada district under integrated horticulture development programme and jackfruit will be given priority in Kepu cluster of Bantwal taluk, said Zilla Panchayat President K T Shailaja Bhat.
Speaking at jackfruit mela 2012 organised jointly by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fishery Science University, Horticulture University, Bagalkote, Horticulture Research Station, Ullal, here on Saturday, she said Kepu cluster includes five villages of Kepu, Punacha, Peruvai, Manila and Alike.
More than 100 farmers have shown inclination towards integrated horticulture development programme in Kepu cluster alone. Under the programme, farmers will also be helped to market their produce.
Jackfruit is considered as commonman’s fruit. In fact, it was this fruit which helped poor to quench their hunger. There is a need to understand the value of jackfruit.
Calling upon the people to conserve water, she said adopting rainwater harvesting will help in solving the problem of shortage of water.
Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr K N Vijayaprakash said the younger generation are not aware of the value of jackfruits. There is a need to promote multi-dimensional utility of jackfruit. There is a need to grow more fruit bearing plants in the school premises.
The CEO said school children will be taken out to farm fields to give a first hand information on agriculture under Sarva Shikshana Abhiyana (SSA).
The Zilla Panchayat is also preparing an Agri Vision 2025, to promote agriculture in the district.
The Agri Vision is being prepared by a committee under the presidentship of S D Sampath Samrajya, by including the recommendations of the farmers. It aims at developing agriculture and its allied sectors.
The Agri Vision will formulate a policy to grow those crops and fruits which are suitable to Dakshina Kannada.
Zilla Panchayat Member Tulasi, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fishery Science University Extension Director Dr K N Prabhudev, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha vice-President Dhanakeerthi Balipa, Krishika Samaja President S D Sampath Samrajya and others were present.
Hand books namely ‘Halasina uthpadane thanthrikathegalu haagu maulyavardhane,’ ‘Bhatthada krishiyalli yanthrikathe naati,’ ‘’Karavaliyalli bhathada besaya’ were released on the occasion.
Adike Patrike Editor Sripadre spoke on ‘Future of jackfruits.’ There were sessions on ‘Growing varieties of jackfruits and technical details related to post harvest’ and ‘Value added products from jackfruits.’
On June 24, there will be a session on demonstration of value added products from jackfruit, ‘Importance of jackfruits’ and ‘Need for constituting jackfruit growers association.’