KVK needs to be upgraded: BJP MLA

Bramhavar, Jun 10(UNI) BJP MLA K Raghupathy Bhat today said that as there was all infrastructure facilities available at Krishi Vijnyan Kendra (KVK) here, there was need to upgrade into a full pledged Agriculture college benefiting the farmers' community.

Speaking after inaugurating farmer's seminar and exhibition under Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), jointly organized by Udupi Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat, department of agriculture and KVK here he said that the committee appointed by the government had recommended making Bramhavar and Byndoor in the district into separate taluks.

He would soon hold discussion and bring pressure on the Chief Minister B S Yadyurappa and Home Minister in-charge minister of Udupi DR V S Acharya to consider these two proposals.

Referring to the defunct Bramhavar Cooperative Sugar Factory here, Mr Bhat said that the factory had now been leased to a private party for the revival of the factory. The sugarcane growers were also paid with part payment of their dues. Once the factory revived and started crushing, the sugarcane growers who were in deep distress could take up sugarcane cultivation with more zeal and enthusiasm, he said. He added that he would also take up this issue with the chief minister.

On the occasion, a cheque of Rs 100,000 was handed over to the son of Manna Ganiga who committed suicide due to the debt trap.

Board of Regents, University of Agriculture Sciences Sampath D Samrajna who presided urged the government to come up with special programmes and schemes to save the farmer's community from deep distress.

Stating that agriculture had become a non-profitable proposition, the price fixation pattern should be on more scientific base so that the farmers could live with dignity and self confidence.

He urged that the government to rescue the farmers by taking proper steps to prevent exodus of agricultural labourers.

He said that ratio between our agricultural production and the population was declining in the recent years. If the same situation continued, there would be acute shortage of food grains by 2020, he added.

UNI MA RM SKB1933