Pics: Pavanraj Hegde
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Oct 18: Krishi Mela 2019 will be held on October 19 and 20 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Brahmavar.
Addressing a press conference at Udupi Press Club here on Thursday, October 17, Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences University principal Dr K V Sudhir Kamath explained that the main objective of the mela is to create awareness on latest technologies in agriculture.
“Through demonstrations, discussions, field visits, seminars cum interactions with scientists and farmers at the Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, we aim to create awareness. The programme is referred as the fest of farmers as it provides a platform specifically for the farmers to understand the advances in agriculture, production technologies and solutions for the problems they face.”
The two day agriculture fiesta is organised by Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Brahmavar under the jurisdiction of University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga and in collaboration with Agricultural Diploma College, Brahmavar, Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Ullal, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Brahmavar and Mangaluru, Agriculture Department, Udupi, Directorate of Cashew and Cocoa Development, Cochin, Canara Bank, Brahmavar, District Krishik Samaja, Udupi and Mangaluru and SKDRDP, Udupi. The programme is co-sponsored by Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sericulture, Fisheries and Forestry Departments of Udupi District.
The mela will be inaugurated by Karnataka deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi who also holds the agriculture portfolio. The agricultural exhibition will be inaugurated by home minister Basavaraj Bommai who is also Udupi’s district-in-charge minister. The newly released rice breed ‘Sahyadri Panchamukhi’ will be released by Kota Srinivasa Poojary, Minister of Muzarai and Fisheries, Ports and Inland Transport. The programme will be presided by Raghupathi Bhat, MLA, Udupi constituency, Dr M K Naik, vice chancellor, UAHS, Shivamogga. MP Shobha Karandlaje will also be present.
Seminars on ‘cultivation of cashew and other plantation crops’ will be held on the first day of Krishi Mela. On the second day, seminars on ‘profitable integrated farming systems’, ‘soil and water conservation and zero budget natural farming’ and ‘hi-tech horticulture’ will be held. Eminent scientists of UAHS, Shivamogga and from other elite institutes and progressive farmers will be present. During Krishi Mela, provision is made for the farmers to interact with scientists freely and to get solutions for the problems they face in the field.
As a part of Krishi Mela, an exhibition to showcase the advances and modern technologies in agriculture and other related enterprises is arranged. About 150 -200 enterprises in agriculture are expected to participate in this exhibition. The organisers are requesting the farmers to participate in huge numbers and avail the benefits of Krishi Mela.
Dr S U Patil, associate director of research and extension director said, “this year we are going to introduce hybrid paddy called Sahyadri Panchamukhi. Every year we are getting good response from the farmers and public as well.”
Dr Dhananjay B, senior scientist and chief and Dr Shankar M, senior zonal inspector were present for the press meet.
Followings are the main attractions of Krishi Mela 2019:
• High yielding rice varieties and seed production
• Preparation of Dapog nursery and method of paddy cultivation
• Multi storied cropping system and nutrient management in coconut and arecanut
• Grafting techniques in horticulture crops, terrace gardening and spine gourd
• Demonstration of organic manures, compost, vermi compost and azolla production
• Dairy, fisheries, goat, rabbit, poultry, piggery and duck rearing demonstration
• Fodder production demonstration in hydroponics
• Demonstration of CO-4 and CO-5 fodder grass production
• Exhibition and demonstration of agricultural implements
• Demonstration of bio-gas production units
• Exhibition and sale of decorative plants
• Demonstration of value added food products
• Agricultural exhibition