The Nada Habba this year will be inaugurated on October 13 by 67-year-old farmer Puttaiah from the backward H.D. Kote.
After Kadidal Shamanna, a progressive farmer and prominent leader, turned down the invite to open the festivities atop the Chamundi, the offer went to Mr. Puttaiah.
With over four decades of experience in agriculture, Mr. Puttaiah, who farms in over 40 acres of land cultivating a variety of crops, lives with an undivided family of over 40 members. Considered a role model, Mr. Puttaiah is also engaged in sericulture, sheep rearing, fisheries, poultry and dairy farming.
He has resolved to raise the issue of farmers’ suicides with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and seek immediate solution to their woes.
To start with, he had only four acres of ancestral land, but bought more from farm income. All his family members, including three brothers and their children, who are also educated, work in the fields for sustainable living.
“The youth in my family did not go looking for jobs and joined us in farming. All of us work hard to grow crops like cotton, foodgrain, paddy, pulses, cereals, oil seeds, sugarcane, turmeric, banana, and vegetables in our 40 acres,” Mr. Puttaiah told The Hindu .
Arguing that farmers’ suicide is not a solution to a present crisis, Mr. Puttaiah, a resident of Malara Colony, about 7-km from H.D. Kote, said, “There is a solution to every problem. Agriculture is our backbone. Sustainable living is possible from farming. I advice farmers not to lose heart and become courageous.”
