Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday announced that the State government would launch Dhaanya Bhagya scheme to promote cultivation of ragi and jowar to ensure availability of sufficient quantum of these millets proposed to be given as an alternative to rice under the Anna Bhagya scheme.
Under the proposed scheme, farmers would be paid an incentive of Rs. 300 per quintal of ragi and jowar in addition to the price of Rs. 1,500 per quintal prescribed by the Union government, Mr. Byre Gowda said, while participating at the valedictory of the International Krishi Mela organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, here.
In addition to the incentive, a package would be evolved to support ragi and jowar cultivation. Procurement of ragi and jowar would commence this year itself soon after harvest, he noted.
Study tour
University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Vice-Chancellor K. Narayana Gowda announced that the progressive farmers who have received awards from the university would be sent on a study tour to other States to learn from the best practices there.
Advice
Pointing out that the university had honoured two progressive farmers from every district and two young innovative farmers from every taluk at the Krishi Mela, he said that each one of these award winners had been urged to convince at least 100 farmers not to quit farming.
Marigowda Award
Dr. M.H. Marigowda State-level Best Horticulture Award was presented to progressive farmers Poornanand Venkatesh Bhat of Ankola taluk and Siddappa Dundappa Balagonda of Basavana Bagewadi taluk.
