The University of Agriculture and Horticultural Sciences (UAHS), Shivamogga, will observe 2015 as the year of agriculture mechanisation, said its Vice-Chancellor C. Vasudevappa.
The UAHS, Shivamogga, would conduct demonstrations in the fields of farmers in its jurisdiction on the usage of agriculture implements.
Farm implements A bank of agricultural implements would be opened at the Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station (ZAHRS) of the university at Hiriyur, Shivamogga, Mudigere and Brahmavar. The agricultural implements would be rented out for farmers, he told presspersons here, recently.
The UAHS has purchased automatic seed and fertiliser driller, tractor-operated post hole digger, paddy harvester, paddy transplanter and arecanut climbing device. In the first phase, the entire farming operations in the demonstration plots at the campus of UAHS, Shivamogga, in Navile locality, near here, would be mechanised, he said.
Experts from the university would create awareness among farmers on the importance of mechanisation of agricultural operations through on-field demonstrations and by delivering lectures in villages. The farmers would be trained in the operation of agricultural implements.
The local gram panchayat would be roped in for the activities, he said.
Survey conducted The university had conducted a survey on the cropping pattern in all the seven districts coming under its jurisdiction, comprising Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Davangere. Aricultura; implements worth Rs. 25 lakh would be provided for all the ZAHRS of the university after assessing the local needs, he said.
The UAHS, Shivamogga, would publish a monthly magazine titled ‘Negila Midita’ containing articles related to scientific methods of tilling, sowing, pest management, weed control and harvesting. Experts would be contributing articles on the usage of information technology and remote-sensing in agriculture. In addition, an interview with a progressive farmer would be published in each edition, he said.
The Organic Farming Research Centre of UAHS, Shivamogga, had undertaken cultivation of fruits and vegetables in poly-houses in organic method. An outlet to sell these fruits and vegetables would soon be opened on the university campus, he said.
Mr. Vasudevappa launched the activities related to farm mechanisation and released the magazine on the occasion.
A.S. Kumaraswamy, Academic Director; T.H. Gowda, Extension Director; and P. Narayanaswamy, Research Director, were present.
