Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP) 

Kundapur, Jun 12: "Udupi district has over 50,000 hectares of land in which paddy was grown in the past. During the app-based survey undertaken during 2018, it transpired that only 36,000 hectares have now remained under paddy cultivation. For various reasons, acreage of paddy-growing land has shrunk steeply. It is felt that if sugarcane is grown in the remaining area, it will be a boon for the farmers from this part of the state. As sugarcane is a profitable crop, farmers should consider growing sugarcane," said Kempe Gowda, joint director of the department of agriculture, Udupi. 

He was speaking after inaugurating the 'Kshetrotsava (field festival)' relating to sugarcane crops organized in the farm belonging to S Dinakar Shetty at Kalavar in the taluk. The programme was organized by Dakshina Kannada district Cooperative Sugar Factory Brahmavar and Bharatiya Kissan Sangha Kundapur on Tuesday June 11. 

"Under the present circumstances, there is immense possibility of cultivating sugarcane as a profitable crop. If we grow sugarcane by employing modern technology, the farmers can convert it into a financially viable proposition. We have now grown sugarcane seeds that will be sufficient to grow it in 70 acres of field. You can see that the sugarcane has grown well," he said. 

President of Brahmavar Cooperative Sugar Factory, H Jaysheela Shetty, presided. 

Bharatiya Kissan Sangha Udupi district secrtary, Satyanarayana Udupa, who participated as resource person, said that sugarcane happens to be a profitable crop. "We can get yield of 30 to 40 tonnes per acre. After deducting expenses, it is possible to save Rs 50,000 to 60,000 per acre. Sugarcane crop is not new to us. Since times unknown, sugarcane was being grown here for manufacturing jaggery. Today there is opportunity to manufacture value-added products from sugarcane. The department too should encourage and cooperate with the growers for undertaking its cultivation. The officials should strive to provide subsidy for drip irrigation and extend loans at zero percent interest," he said. He expressed the wish that Brahmavar Sugar Factory in which Rs 350 crore of farmers money is involved, should remain as the asset of the farmers here. 

Assistant director in the department of agriculture, Roopa Mada, Kalavar gram panchayat president, A Raghuram Shetty, Bharatiya Kissan Sangh Kundapur president, Seetaram Ganiga, Koteshwar VSSS president, Sharat Kumar Hegde, sugarcane growers, Umesh Shetty and Rama Bhat hanadi were present. 

Udupi District Raita Sangh secretary, Santosh Kumar Shetty Baladi, shared his feelings. Director of Brahmavar Sugar Factory, Dinakar Shetty, welcomed and delivered introductory address. Rajendra Shettigar compered the programme. 

Directors of the sugar factory, farmers and sugarcane growers from different areas, and members of farmer organizations were present. Before the formal meeting began, spots where sugarcane are grown were visited. The fields where improved species of sugarcane provided by the sugar factory are being grown were visited and observed. The farmers expressed their appreciation for the lush sugarcane crop that is raised by following drip irrigation system.