CM Siddaramaiah expresses concern over agri research

Says the state govt will provide financial assistance to the agriculture varsities

Chief minister Siddaramaiah has expressed concern over reports that the Agricultural Science Universities were distancing themselves from research. Underlining the role of research and extension activities, he said the state government would provide financial assistance to the agriculture varsities which are taking up advanced research and extension work.

Speaking after inaugurating the Krishi Mela organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences in Dharwad on Sunday, he said, as per the information available with the government, the agriculture varsities have distanced themselves from research.

Varsities, instead of focussing on extension activities, are after the government demanding funds to improve infrastructure, and construction of buildings in particular. Hence, the government will fund the varsities which give their progress card and have innovative ideas regarding research and development, he added.
 

On value-addition to crops, Siddaramaiah said, of the produce in the state, 30 per cent was wasted for want of warehouse facilities. Hence, the government has decided to build warehouses and cold storage units in every taluk.

The CM also asked the varsities to focus on value-addition to ensure the farmers got scientific, remunerative price for their produce.

Ensuring food security has become a big challenge when cultivable land is being degraded. Hence, the government has decided to take up a joint survey to test the health of the soil and give cards to over 7.5 mn farmers with information on the nutrients needed for the soil.

To boost agriculture on dry lands, the government has taken up a project to convert over 4.5 mn hectare dry land into cultivable land.

Floods, drought
Siddaramaiah in his 20 minutes speech made a passing reference to the restoration works and the compensation to the farmers who have incurred crop loss due to drought and floods. “More than six districts in the State are reeling under drought like situation and nine districts have received excess rains. Hence, the farmers in the above districts are at the receiving end as they have incurred huge crop loss. The government has submitted a detailed report on the rain damage and drought to the centre demanding release of funds to meet the compensation demand of the farmers.”

He promised that though the Dharwad district has not been included in this list, equal compensation would be given to the farmers of Dharwad who have incurred crop loss. The government is spending more than Rs 500 crore for this project.

International centre at UAS

Heeding to the demands of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil on funding an international research centre named after agriculturist Norman Borlaugh at UAS, Dharwad, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government, after studying the proposal sent by the varsity, would allot the required funds to set up this centre.

However, he directed the agriculture scientists to take up focus on local issue creating hurdles for the farmers to take up hassle-free cultivation.