Scientists should take technology to farms, says Minister

R.B, Thimmapur, District-in-charge Minister, has urged horticulture scientists to take advanced cultivation and harvest technology to farms. “Research and development should not be limited to universities and institutions. They should be taken to farmers to help them achieve better yields and materialise better market prices,’’ he said.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Horticulture Mela in the University of Horticulture Sciences in Bagalkot.

The Minister urged the professors in the university to work with farmers to solve their problems. “Farmers have several problems. They have nowhere to go to seek redress. The university should have a full-fledged Raitha Samparka Kendra where they offer counselling services and volunteer to visit the fields of farmers,’’ he said. He said the State government would help the university set up RSK centres in Bagalkot and other campuses.

MLA Bheemsen Chimmanakatti urged the university to engage more with farmers and help them improve soil fertility, increase yields, reduce costs, make post harvest processing easy and find better prices for their produce. “It is a matter of pride that the University has gained importance at the national level. But farmers should benefit from it,’’ he said.

Rajya Sabha member Narayanasa Bhandage said that he was happy with the growth of the university. It is a matter of pride that the university is working to inform farmers through demonstration plots. He congratulated farmers who were felicitated by the university.

MLC P.H. Pujar said Bagalkot and Vijayapura districts had the climate conducive to horticulture and urged the university to help farmers grow horticulture crops and earn remunerative prices.

MLC Hanamant Nirani urged farmers to benefit from the various schemes of the Union and State Government. He urged them to work in communities and benefit from the equipment sharing schemes.

Vice Chancellor Dr. Vishunvardhan, Regional Commissioner Janaki K.M., Deputy Commissioner Mr. Sangappa, Additional DC Ashok Teli, university board members S N Vasudeva, H G Manohar, Anita K V, Thammaiah N, Balaji Kulkarni, Janardhan and others were present.