Farmers honoured

B C Arvind from Handi Gram, Chikmangalur district was honoured for his success in growing coffee, pepper, betelnut, pineapple and orange in 73 acres of land, using dried leaves as fertiliser. 

Others honoured included pomegranate grower Ravishankar Hanmanthappa Udagatti of Bagalkot district and integrated farming practitioners Thammaiah of Ramanagara district and Viruppamma of Chitradurga district. 

Labour Minister B N Bachche Gowda underlined the need to popularise agriculture as a profession by ensuring competitive prices for agriculture produce. He lauded the efforts taken by the University of Agricultural Sciences in organising the Krishi Mela. “Agricultural events should be organised in at zilla and taluk level too,” he suggested.

Observing that 50 per cent of canalised water is lost by the time it reaches farmers’ lands, Bache Gowda underlined the need for adopting drip irrigation systems which get 75 per cent subsidy from the government. Minister for Transport and Home R Ashoka was present.