Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on Thursday used the platform of the National Krishi Mela organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore to allay fears of farmers that the proposed global agricultural investors meet may lead to acquisition of their land by the government to be handed over to private investors.
Speaking after presenting Dr. M. H. Marigowda Best Horticultural Farmer Awards and releasing six new crop varieties brought out by the university on the second day of the three-day National Krishi Mela here, the Chief Minister said the agri investors' meet was being held to improve agricultural infrastructural facilities such as cold storage units and not to take away land from farmers.
“I am aware that there are efforts to mislead farmers by trying to portray the proposed meet as an effort to snatch farmers' lands and to keep them under control. But I want to make it clear that the meet is being held only with an intention of improving the farmers' condition by providing agri infrastructure and not for either snatching their lands or to keep them under our control.”
Referring to the unrest among sericulture farmers over the crash in prices of cocoon, he said the problem had arisen due to the slashing of import duty on silk yarn by the Union Government from 5 to 3 per cent. ‘'Though it is the Centre which has to act now, we have already released Rs. 5 crore to stabilise the prices for the next three .months,” he said.
He called upon farmers to switch over to integrated farming in a bid to maximise returns. He expressed happiness over the university felicitating innovative farmers at the district as well as taluk level. “I have honoured a large number of people at different functions. But let me tell you the satisfaction and happiness I got after honouring the farmers here was 10,000 fold. Farmers silently make sacrifices without craving for publicity.”
The State-level Marigowda best horticultural farmer awards were presented to Gangaiah of Guddahalli in Magadi taluk, who is practising integrated farming on 11 acres of land, and Chandrashekhar Basanagouda Patil of Tabakada Honninahalli of Kalaghatagi taluk, who has focussed on efficient use of water through innovative methods.
Horticulture Minister S. A. Ravindranath and University Vice-chancellor Dr. K. Narayana Gowda spoke.
