Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that agricultural universities should conduct more research on developing agriculture in drylands.
Speaking while inaugurating the Krishi Mela-2023 organized at Dharwad Agricultural University campus, CM Siddaramaiah said, “Today, 60 percent of the people are dependent on agriculture. Despite agriculture being the main occupation of the country, many people are turning away from agriculture. He said that the lack of rain is becoming a problem due to the availability of rain-fed agricultural land.”
Agricultural universities should work to get youth and more people involved in agriculture. University’s research and technologies will be useful only if they reach farmers’ lands. Agricultural fairs should be attractively organized to attract youth and newcomers to the agricultural sector without being a mela, he said.
Expressing his concern over the farmers who are into dry cultivation, he said that research about improved variety is needed. If the main crop fails, there must be an immediate alternative crop Scientists must conduct research on these lines, the CM said.
Lab to Land means that laboratory findings should reach the farmers’ land. He said that only then the researches of scientists will be fruitful. Re-launch of Krishi Bhagya, Krishi Yantra Dhara Schemes has been announced. The chief minister said that since there are more small farmers in the state, steps have been taken to provide advanced harvesting machines to the farmers.
Koramangala Challaghatta (KC) Valley has been facilitated to increase the ground water in Kolar district and for irrigation. The CM informed that action has been taken to solve the water problem.
The state government will provide farmers with Rs Zero interest loan up to Rs.5 lakh and up to Rs.15 lakh loan at only 3% rate of interest, he said. The government is committed to implement Mahadayi scheme. The chief minister said that if the central government responds quickly and resolves the problem, the implementation of the project will be easy.
The state government will take immediate action if the central government consults with the Goa government and resolves the dispute related to environment and forest. He said that the state government has no shortage of funds.
DPR of Bennihalla project will be completed and implemented soon. The Chief Minister said that all the demands of the farmers of Dharwad district and North Karnataka will be responded to, and action will be taken.
Opponents of the poor are making false allegations against the government regarding the implementation of the Five Guarantees, but the government is financially sustainable, and all development works have been continued. A budget of Rs 3 lakh 80 thousand crore rupees will be presented next year for the development of the state including five guarantees, the CM said.
It is being misrepresented that there is a lack of funds for development due to the implementation of five guarantee schemes. There is no financial problem for the government. All development programs of the government will continue. About 32 thousand crores of rupees are required for the implementation of five guarantees this year. From next year, about 56 thousand crore rupees will be required for the implementation of five guarantees every year. The government is empowered to provide all these necessary funds. The Chief Minister assured that no one should be afraid.
The Chief Minister said that including the cost of five guarantees, the next year’s budget is estimated to be around Rs 380 lakh crores.
Minister of Agriculture and Vice-Chancellor of Agricultural University N Chaluvarayaswamy released special publications of Krishi University on the stage.The Chief Minister honoured and presented awards to the women farmers and progressive farmers who were awarded the Shrestha Krishi Award.