Israel farming method at VC Farm: Kumaraswamy

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Saturday that a pilot project employing Israeli model of farm practices will be launched on the 900-acre Vishweshwaraiah Canal (VC) Farm/College of Agriculture, in Mandya.

Speaking to reporters after chairing a review meeting with officials of agriculture, sericulture and horticulture departments, Kumaraswamy said that the technology would eventually be extended to other districts in the state.

The state government will also invite experts from Israel to hold workshops and train Karnataka farmers, he added. The chief minister said that following good rains in the last one week, agricultural activities had picked up pace in the state.

He said that Karnataka had witnessed 51% excess rainfall than the regular pre-monsoon rains, Kumaraswamy instructed Chief Secretary Ratna Prabha to ensure that the farmers do not face any difficulties in procuring seeds or fertilisers. He also directed her to take strict action against those selling low-quality seeds to farmers.