Krishi Mela at Brahmavar, Oct 15 and 16

Krishi Mela at Brahmavar, Oct 15 and 16

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, oct 14, 2016: Speaking to media Oct 13,  Thursday, ZAHRS, Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station (ZAHRS) at Brahmavar will be organising ’Krishi Mela’ at the zonal centre on October 15 and 16. Aassociate director of research Dr M Hanumanthappa said the main objective of the Mela is to bring awareness on the latest agricultural technology through demonstrations, discussions, field visits in the Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station through seminars cum interactions of scientists with farmers.  The Mela aims to offer a platform to the farmers to solve their field problems, he added.

Programmes :  "Talks will be held on topics like ’Cultivation of Plantation Crops’, ’Use of Modern Farm Implements in Agriculture’ and ’Profitable Integrated Farming Systems’. The discussions will be led by eminent scientists and progressive farmers. As many as 100 stake holders will put up their stalls to display the agricultural technologies and recent farm machines," he said.

The major attraction of the Mela includes high-yielding rice varieties and seed production, preparation of Dapog nursery and SRI method of paddy cultivation, CO-4 Fodder grass demonstration, multi-storeyed cropping system and nutrient managements in coconut and arecanut, cashew grafting and soil and water management in cashew gardens, demonstration of organic manure compost, vermin compost and azolla, demo units of dairy, poultry, goat, duck and fisheries, exhibition and demonstration of agricultural implements, demonstration of value added food products, exhibition and sale of decorative plants and attractive agricultural exhibition.

Inaugurations:  "The Mela will be inaugurated by District In-charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj while University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (UAHS) (Shivamogga) vice chancellor Dr Vasudevappa will preside.

"The expo would be inaugurated by Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Member of Parliament Shobha Karandlaje, Zilla Panchayat vice president Sheela K Shetty will inaugurate the integrated farming system units in the campus. Retired banker K M Udupa will inaugurate the Krishi Mela platform. ZAHRS website will be inaugurated by UAHS (Shivamogga) board member Dr H L Harish," Hanumanthappa added.

Elaborating the Agricultural Diploma College in Brahmavar, he said that, since the inception of the college, there has been good response. "The college is running for the third consecutive year. In the last academic year, 700 applications were received for 70 seats. The seats are offered on merit basis," he said.  "In spite of the progress, however, the disheartening fact is that the diploma holders prefer pursuing higher education instead of applying their knowledge and minds in the fields. The present situation has compelled the centre to embark upon the amendments in the selection criteria. The two year diploma course offers basic skills and also idea on the education given at BSc Agriculture. The curriculum comprises of 30% theory and 70% practical," he explained.