Hiriyur, October 6: ‘It doesn't matter how many graduates come out of agricultural universities, Developing varieties of crops is important’ said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
He was speaking after inaugurating the Centenary celebrations of Babbur Farms, Millets Mela and Symposium on Horticultural Crops at the Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agriculture and Horticulture Sciences, here today.
The Government is ready and committed to provide all assistance for research. But it is up to the researchers to conduct research for variety and medicines for diseases, and immunity booster medicines. The CM called upon them to make research their priority.
There is no price for the crop. Heavy rains, scanty rains and droughts are affecting the farmers. Therefore, pro -farmer research should be carried out in accordance with the changed environment. All the taluks of Chitradurga district are affected by drought, the CM said.
Corps were sown in an area of 80 lakh hectares and 42 lakh hectares of crops have been damaged. Hence the state and the farmers are in trouble. Although we have appealed to the center for compensation of 4860 crores, the amount of loss we have incurred is more than 30 thousand crores. All this is being reviewed by the Central Drought Study Team. Chitradurga is a drought prone district and is affected even more. Whatever is the compensation provided by the Central Government, our Government is committed to ensure that our people, farmers and livestock are not troubled. Instructions have been given to Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat CEOs in this regard, the CM said.
We are committed to take appropriate action to provide water for agriculture and drinking water in Chitradurga district. We will provide more grants to irrigation and agriculture. We firmly stand by our farmers, the CM assured.
Research should be increased in agriculture and horticulture universities. In the backdrop of climate change, a study must be conducted regarding crops which are feasible and which will benefit the farmers. It does not matter how many graduates come out of agricultural universities. It is important as to how many varieties have been developed, he said.
District In-charge Minister D. Sudhakar presided over the programme and Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy released a souvenir.
MLAs T. Raghumurthy, Dr. A. Chandrappa, K.C Virendra Pappi, N.Y Gopalakrishna, B.J. Govindappa, MLCs Dr. Y.A. Narayanaswamy, Chidananda M. Gowda, former Lok Sabha member M. Chandrappa, former minister H. Anjaneya, agricultural expert Ekanthaiah, progressive farmers and officers were present.