Minister of State for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday expressed displeasure over the implementation of Bhoo Chetana Plus programme in Chikmagalur.
The Minister said the objective of providing benefits of advanced technology to farmers had not been given due attention.
He was speaking after visiting a maize farm at Emmedoddi village near here.
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Mr. Gowda said the department had involved noted companies to help farmers get better yield by adopting advanced technology under the Bhoo Chetana Plus programme. The programme was being implemented on a pilot basis in Chikmagalur, Tumkur, Bijapur and Raichur districts.
A maize farm in Emmedoddi was chosen for experimental cultivation.
“The programme includes choosing the right variety of seeds, suitable for local soil and weather conditions. The crop is in harvest stage and the farmer is happy with the yield. But the officers have not given attention to spread awareness about the technology and the experiment done among other farmers,” the Minister said.
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The objective of the programme was to provide technology for farmers from pre-sowing stage to harvest. Representatives of various companies and officers of the department guide farmers at all stages about advanced farming.
The Minister said he had instructed the officers to bring other farmers to the field where experiments were done and explain about the positive impact of technology.
Employees’ strengthMr. Gowda said the employees’ strength in the Agriculture Department had increased, after the department merged with the Watershed Development Department. This will help officers spend more time in fields and with farmers, he said.
Election resultsOn the election results in Maharashtra and Haryana, he said the Congress had been in power for 15 years in Maharashtra and 10 years in Haryana.
“People have voted for change and the Congress accepts the verdict,” he said.