Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jun 2: Around 1,500 acres of fallow land is being prepared for the cultivation of paddy in Udupi constituency, lead by Kedarottana Trust, at the estimated cost of Rs 5 crore, said chairman of the Trust, MLA Raghupati Bhat.
He was speaking at the press meet held at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Brahmavar here on Wednesday, June 2.
"The process of cultivation of paddy is purely organic and the Trust is operating independently. The aim is to cultivate paddy on 2,000 acres of fallow land in Udupi. The presidents of 19 gram panchayats, 35 councillors of CMC and nine other known social activists, who are interested in agricultural activities are the trustees of Kedarottana," the MLA said.
Bhat further stated that there could be more than 5,000 acres of fallow paddy land in the Udupi constituency. "The lands have been already identified in Parkala, Handadi, Chanthar, Kadekar and many other areas. The cleaning of water channels, levelling of farmland has begun and the cultivation process will be fully organic and mechanised. As many as 55 trays and five agricultural machines were purchased by the Trust. Five harvesting machines will be imported from Tamil Nadu on rent and the Trust will support those who are keen on cultivating crops on their barren land," the MLA said.
"Some farmers have already started farming after getting motivated by our initiative. The fallow land which has not been used for farming for over 20 to 25 years is being used for cultivation. This work is underway for 45 days and has been receiving a positive response from the landowners and the public."
The MLA further informed that the project will be launched on June 5, on 'World Environment Day' at Kadekar panchayat.
"We are expecting 24 lac kgs of paddy yield from 2,000 acres of land. It is a large scale movement and one that will enhance the beauty of nature, increase groundwater level and makes us self-reliant. The cost of cultivation per acre has been estimated to be Rs 25,000. An acre can yield a quantity of paddy that will fetch Rs 10,000 and the deficit will be Rs 15,000 per acre. The balance amount is what is needed to be managed."
"As it is a huge project and we will need the financial support of donors or sponsors. Those who have an interest in agriculture can donate funds to the Trust. We will cultivate the crop in their name. A centre where farming machines can be sold will also be installed. We have a plan to keep 'Kaje Kucchalakki' as the brand name for the rice which will also be sold in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Hubli, Dharwad, Belgaum and other districts of the state."
"This project will inspire the farmers and increase agricultural production. The experts believe that farmers have given up on agriculture because of the shortage of labourers and the problem of wild animals. The initiative we are indulged in is on a trial basis and will be soon done on a large scale. We are giving emphasis to the mechanised form of cultivation. We are very excited to launch this project and hope for a good result," Bhat said.
The seeding process, growing paddy sampling, planting methods were displayed at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Brahmavar.
Dr Kempegowda, joint director, horticulture department, Dr B Dhananjay, Dr Lakshman, assistant director of research, senior officers, Shankar, Shrikanth Bhat, Muruli Kadekar, general secretary, Raghavendra Kini, treasurer of Kedarottana Trust, trustees, Pratap Hegde Marali, Dinakar Babu, Narayan Shenoy, Bhujanga Shetty, CMC Udupi president, Sumithra Nayak, councillors and village panchayat members were present.