BANGALORE: The much-awaited Rashtriya Krishimela 2011, organised by University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK), Bangalore, was inaugurated here on Wednesday.Speaking on the occasion, MP D B Chandre Gowda expressed concern as the farmers in the State were not getting fertilisers in time, because of which the multi-cropping system was getting affected.MLA Krishna Byre Gowda said, “The farmers have been promised six hours of electricity supply per day, but they hardly receive power supply for three hours.In addition to this, cooperative banks are not providing adequate loans because of which farmers are seeking loans from commercial banks at a higher interest rates.” He also appreciated women farmers’ dedication towards farming and called upon the government to encourage agriculture.“This year, for the first time, we are organising the Krishimela at the national level.Special emphasis will be given to agricultural processing, value addition agricultural machinery and organic farming. We have about 600 stalls, of which, around 100 are concentrated on new organic technologies,” said Dr K Narayana Gowda, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences.Two successful farmers were felicitated on the occasion. Considering his outstanding contribution to farming, H L Naresh from Hassan was awarded with the Corp-Bank Award.TECHIE TURNS FARMERThis 35-year-old is a software engineer who turned agriculturist from DK district and was one among the recipients of successful farm youth award.Chandrashekhar G Kondana said, “I worked as a software engineer for about 10 years, but then I realised that I would reap more profit if I develop my father’s farm. At the same time, I was also interested to take up farming.Coconut and areca nut are two major crops which I have been cultivating.” Speaking to Express, he said, “Choughat orange dwarf variety of coconut, is one among the major varieties. I have been cultivating for the past 10 years.It can be used for curing chicken-pox.” RARE BREEDS OF CATTLE ON DISPLAYThose interested in taking a glimpse of rare breeds of cattle which are on the verge of extinction can rush to the Rashtriya Krishi Mela 2011.The traditional variety of bullocks raised at Bellandur - Hallikar and Amruthmahal priced at `2-2.5 lakh each, are on display.Besides, other variety of oxen and cows - Gir, Krishnavalley, Sindhi, and Devani, which yield 5 to 10 litres of milk a day, are on display.An official from UAS, GKVK, said, “All these traditional varieties of bullocks are vanishing with the increasing number of cross breed varieties coming up.Rarely we get to see all these varieties of ox, cows and bullocks.” Rare varieties of sheep - Rambullet, Dorset and Bunner, used for dual purpose (wool as well as meat) are on display.Veerakempanna, from Shiddlaghatta, Chikkaballapur, who is raising sheep since 1978, said, “As of now I have about 3-4 breeds of sheep and from Rambullet variety, we get about 3-4 kgs of wool in a year.Their staple length is about 15 cms.” ORGANIC FOOD CROPS GALOREThe UAS, GKVK, has set up an exclusive stall to display organic food crop developed by the institute. Explaining the importance of organic farming Dr S Pradeep, coordinator, Organic Farming Research Centre, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Shimoga, said, “We have about 167 traditional varieties of paddy, a few of them with medicinal value.They are grown across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.” ‘Nawara’, a rice variety, which costs about Rs 390 per kg, is highly beneficial for those suffering from diabetes and arthritis, he said.Other crops like Italian lemon, arecanut, organic turmeric and ginger, organic cocoa, black rice and about 8-10 varieties of millets grown organically were displayed. He said, “A few of these paddy are pest resistant and the seeds are available for farmers.”
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