University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur (UAS-R) has planned to organise its Krishimela-2014 at its main campus in Raichur from Friday. Addressing a media conference at Reporters’ Guild here on Wednesday, Vice Chancellor of the University Mr. P.M. Salimath announced that the current year’s event was designed around the core theme of Management of Natural Energy and Water.
“The entire world is facing a challenge of finding alternative energy resources to fast depleting non-renewable coal, petroleum and natural gas based resources. The current year’s event would largely focus on using natural energy such as solar, wind and bio energy in agricultural activities,” he said. The university has already established an energy park at Raichur main campus where solar energy based agricultural equipments like pumps, sprayers, dryer and household appliances such as cookers, refrigerators, television sets and lamps are on demonstration, he added.
While Minister of State for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda would flag off the event, Minister for Medical Education and Raichur in-charge Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil would participate as chief guest. Raichur MLA Dr. Shivaraj Patil would preside over the inaugural session.
“The objective of the 3-day annual event is inculcating awareness among farming community of Hyderabad-Karnataka about the improved agricultural and allied technologies and encouraging them to adopt the same,” Mr. Salimath said.
New varieties:
Dr. B.S.Janagoudar, Director of Research at UAS-R, said that the two new seed varieties - SIRI-1253 (paddy) and DSB-21 (soybean) - developed by the University would also be put under demonstration with complete information.
“The new variety of paddy which is most suitable for Tungabhadra Command Area yields as high as 70 quintals a hectare and is resistant to brown plant hopper and neck blast. The new soybean variety is rust disease resilient, first of its kind in the country and can yield as high as 20 quintal a hectare,” he said.
Exhibition:
Dr. K.P. Vishwanath, Director of Extension at UAS-R said that the information about the benefits of directing paddy seeding, use of mechanised paddy transplanter, precision farming, integrated farming, watershed development technology, drip and sprinkler irrigation methods, varietal and chawki rearing technologies in sericulture etc, would be on demonstration in the event.
“There would be around 230 stalls where different agricultural and horticultural universities, government departments, non-governmental agencies, private seed and fertiliser companies would put their product on exhibition,” he said.
Honours:
Two farmers, a man and a woman each from six districts of Hyderabad Karnataka region, who have made significant achievements in agriculture and allied fields, would be felicitated and conferred ‘Shreshtha Krishika’ (man) and ‘Shreshtha Krishimahile’ (woman) on the occasion.
