'Introduce agriculture in primary school syllabus'

The speakers during Shivaratrishwara Shivayogi fair at Suttur on Monday, opined that education on agriculture at primary schools would attract youths towards farming and also help develop self-respect among the farmers.

Horticulture Sciences University, Bagalkot, Vice-Chancellor D L Maheshwar, Mysuru Akashavani Programming Officer Keshavamurthy, former minister Leeladevi R Prasad, Law Commission of Karnataka Chairman S R Nayak and Credit-I Director and retired Sociology professor H M Vasanthamma echoed the idea during the inaugural function of the programme on ‘Comprehensive Education on Agriculture’.

Vice-Chancellor D L Maheshwar said, “A few years ago, agriculture was limited to illiterate people, but, today the scenario has changed. Even highly educated people have taken up agriculture. Even farmers have the responsibility to promote agriculture among their children. If agriculture fails, the country will suffer as its food security would be under threat.”

Topics on agriculture should have been introduced at primary-level long ago. However, the university has provided 40 per cent reservation for rural students to pursue higher education in agriculture-related subjects and the authorities are working out a syllabus on agriculture for primary school students, he said.

Former minister Leeladevi R Prasad said, “Youths participation in development of agriculture is inevitable and education at primary-level would play a vital role in attracting youths towards farming.”

Keshavamurthy said that if students can have computers in their syllabus right from class one, agriculture, which is considered as the backbone of the country, should be included at school-level.

Lack of Knowledge
“Today, 60 per cent of people depend on agriculture for their daily bread and agriculture is the only source for food security of the country. Nearly 20 per cent of the total population, past 20 years, have been diverted to other vocations. So, education at primary-level is much needed. Even though many educated people are interested in agriculture, they lack knowledge and stay away. Unless agriculture is a part of primary school syllabus, farming will not develop in the country,” he said.

Vasanthamma said, “Even after several decades of Independence, several people depend on agriculture and are deprived of education and thus remain financially backward. However, agriculture cannot be neglected in countries like India as it is the major source of food security.”
DH News Service