Technological advancements are a boon to farmers only if they are taken to the farmlands, Siddhalinga Swami of Tontadarya Math said on Thursday.
He was addressing a gathering of farmers at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Hulakoti, near Gadag, after inaugurating two fodder machines procured by the KVK.
He lauded the initiative taken by the former Minister H.K. Patil and KVK in bringing technology closer to the farmers.
The swami referred to the findings of a survey that said that around 40 per cent of successful agricultural experiments in laboratories never reached the farmers.
He added that only when a “lab-to-land” approach was followed effectively would the farmers would get the benefit of agricultural research.
He also spoke about Israel and said that the country achieved progress in agriculture due to its innovations. He mentioned Verghese Kurien and others, who had helped make farming viable and profitable.\
‘Protect Kappatagudda’
The swami appealed to farmers to protect Kappatagudda in Gadag district, which, he said, was rich in biodiversity.
Mr. Patil emphasised the importance of technology in agriculture, and said: “we need to make use of the technology in farming which will help us survive.”
He pointed out that technological advancements were not immediately accepted by the public.
“Once they are convinced about the benefits, people will definitely put them to good use,” he said.
The former Minister also mentioned the cloud seeding exercise taken up in the Cauvery basin.
Earlier, making introductory remarks, the former MLA D.R. Patil stressed the need to take technology to farmers and also make changes in the available technology to suit local needs.
