Farm equipment centres at hobli level soon: Krishna Byre Gowda

Will rent harvesters, tractors to farmers at low rates

All hobli centres in the State will soon have a  ‘Yentropakarana Seva Kendra’ (farm machinery centre) where farmers can avail equipment on hire, according to Minister for Agriculture, Krishna Byre Gowda.

Speaking after inaugurating Krishi Mela 2014 at Gandhi Krishi Vignan Kendra here on Wednesday, the minister said that the centre would provide equipment such as harvesters and tractors on hire at low rent.

He said that project was being implemented in public-private partnership with a budgetary allocation of Rs 75 crore. The minister said that the facility was being provided to address non-availability of labourers for farm activities.

“Soil health cards will be issued to farmers after assessing the fertility of their fields. Farmers will be educated on adopting scientific agricultural practices,” he added.

Promising the farmers that the government would stand by their side at hard times, the minister said that the government purchase farm produce directly from the farmers in case the prices fall during the present season.

Rs 537 crore set aside

“The government purchased food grains from farmers  when the prices fell last year. A sum of Rs 537 crore set aside for the whole year has already been utilised for the welfare of farmers. Two memorandums have been submitted to the Union government seeking additional funds” he said.

 Governor Vajubhai Vala said that it was important to conserve every drop of rain water and advocated construction of check dams. New varieties of toor dal and ground nut were released on the occasion. 

About five lakh farmers are expected to attend the three-day event that has 600 stalls by various companies and research institutions. This is in addition to the national exhibition on farm machinery.

Farmers were felicitated for their contribution in the field at the inaugural event. Dr M H Marigowda award was presented to K M Mallappa Heggade from Sringeri And G M Raghu from Shivamogga.

The C Byregowda award was given to  H L Naresh from Sakleshpura.