Public Works and District in-charge Minister H C Mahadevappa on Saturday, said that the food production in the country should be increased to ensure food security for the people.

Addressing a gathering during the valedictory ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Agriculture Research Centre at Naganahalli in the taluk, the minister said that agriculture is the main occupation of the people of the country and if the agriculture sector is affected, then the country faces a severe threat. "We should increase food production on the lines of Israel," he said.

"In the 1950s, there was a scarcity of food in the country and thus, it was inevitable for India to depend on foreign nations. Owing to the Green revolution, today the country is self-reliant. The farmers should utilise available technology to increase agriculture production," he said.

"Due to the onslaught of multi-national corporations and market policies of the governments, the economy of rural India has collapsed. Even cottage industry has shrunk and the farmers are under pressure, as they have failed to earn suitable incomes," Mahadevappa said.

Organic farming

He appealed to agriculture scientists to take up research works for the welfare of the farmers. "The professionals should create awareness that even agriculture is a profitable sector. Organic farming should be the future," he said.

MP R Dhruvanarayan said, "Compared to Kolar and Chikkaballapur, cases of suicide of farmers are high in irrigated regions. The major reason behind the suicides is water problem and lavish spending."

MLA G T Devegowda said that there is no proper market for the produce of farmers. "Even Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) are not up to the mark. The government should concentrate on ensuring good infrastructure, including transport facility, in the rural region," he said.

University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, Vice Chancellor H Shivanna, former vice chancellor N M Sheelavanth, Taluk Panchayat president Kalamma Kemparamaiah, Zilla Panchayat members Beerihundi Basavanna, Dinesh, and Arunkumar, Naganahalli gram panchayat president T Chaitra, Agriculture Joint Director K M Somasundar and Centenary Celebration Committee president T Shivashankar were present.