Congress demands setting up of Horticuture University

Bangalore, July 29 (UNI) Opposition leader in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Veeranna Mathikati, today demanded the State government to establish Horticulture University in Bagalkote as proposed earlier.

Initiating a debate on Budget proposals, he said horticulture produce, especially from Northern parts of the state was gaining popularity in the world. It was time that the government help farmers produce better quality produce and take up more research work to increase the yield.

Stressing that horticulture needed to be developed further he said there was need for a separate University. It was wrong on part of the government which had said that more Agricultural Universities would be with a thrust on Horticulture.

He said that there were 15 horticulture organisations functioning in the city and the proposed University of Agriculture should be set up in Raichur.

Earlier, in a written reply to 'Mukhiya Mantri' Chandru of BJP, Minister for Horticulture S K Bellubi had informed that there was opposition for setting up a separate University for Horticulture. It was being argued that horticulture would not be separated from Agriculture as it was complementary.

However the minister promised that a Directorate of Horticulture Research in Agriculture Universities and establishment of crop based research centers.

He said that it was now proposed to establish Agriculture University at Bagalkote with focus on Horticulture, especially in research, extension and education aspects and details were being worked out.

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