Ryots unaware of 155 programmes meant for their welfare

Mysuru: A uniform Agriculture Policy is the only key to the problems faced by the farmers in the country, said former Vice Chancellor of  University of Agriculture Sciences, Bengaluru, Dr. Narayanagowda.

Addressing a gathering during an interaction session between farmers and Agriculture experts, organised by State Sugarcane Growers Association and Raitamitra Farm Producers, in Chetan Garden at the foot of Chamundi Hill, here on Wednesday, he said that the farmers should grow one or two crops suited to the season in a year.

He noted that the State and Union Governments have introduced more than155 programmes and regretted that most of the farmers were not aware of them. In spite of farmers producing sufficient food, they are facing various problems, he said.

“These problems can be solved if scientific prices are fixed for the products and crops. These are even the long-pending demand of the farmers,” he said.

Former Director of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, Mruthyunjaya said “The Union and State Governments should ensure proper implementation of agriculture policies. There is no dearth of policies and programmes for farmers. But no one is bothered about the actual benefits to the farmers from those policies. There is no problem with the policies but it is only in their implementation.”

Former Vice Chancellor of University of Agriculture Sciences and JSS Rural Development Foundation Director Dr. M. Mahadevappa said that there is a suffocating atmosphere in all the universities in the country and it is very difficult to work under such conditions.

“If the farmers widen their horizon rather than just sticking to agricultural practises then they can find solutions to many of their problems,” he said.

Progressive farmer and writer Chinnaswamy Vaddagere regretted that in spite of the tremendous strides in science and technology its benefits have reached the villages and farmers.

According to Vaddagere, nearly 900 agriculture graduates in Mandya District have formed a forum to address agriculture issues to see that small technologies are made available to farmers in an easy way.

“Similar platforms should be established in every district and they should act as a bridge between the Horticulture and Agriculture Departments and the farmers,” he said.

State Sugarcane Growers Association President Kurubur Shanthakumar said that the agriculture scientists should focus their studies on yield conserving techniques and added that the outcome of the session would be submitted to the government for considerations.

Former Director of University of Agriculture and Horticulture Sciences, Shivamogga Dr. N.S. Kumaraswamy, Shimoga University Prasaranga Director Shashidhar, Bagalkote Agriculture Science Centre Head Mouneshwari Kammar, Agriculture Department former Director Vishakanta, Mysuru All India Radio Programme Co-ordinator N. Keshavamurthy, Mandya Progressive farmer Lakshmidevaiah, Farmer leader Hosuru Prakash, Meteorological Department’s Rachegowda, activist Vasanthkumar Mysoremath and others were present.