Karnataka CM urges farmers not to sell lands

Bangalore, Sep 16 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today appealed to farmers not fall prey and sell their agricultural lands.

Speaking after launching a value added services pack for farmers by Airtel, India's leading mobile service, in association with IFFCO's Kisan Sanchar Ltd (IKSL) here, he said ''land has become costlier than gold, you can purchase yellow metal but you cannot find land because of high cost. Farmers should not get carried away by the high prices offered and sell their fertile land.'' Mr Yeddyurappa said as critical situation had arisen with shortage of fertilisers, there was need to encourage organic farming.

''State is facing shortage of chemical fertilisers and the Centre is blaming the State Government. Hence it is better to encourage organic farming, which also helps to maintain the fertility of the land in the long-run, as well as improve agricultural production'', he said.

The Chief Minister said that he has pledged to change the picture of Bangalore city in the next five years by taking up overall infrastructure development.

IFFCO IKSL, the joint venture company of Bharti Airtel Ltd and IFFCO, would offer agriculture-related information like best farming practices, soil testing, soil improvement, optimum crop cycles, required fertilisers and pesticides as well as livelihood information like mandi crop prices and utility (power, irrigation).

Bharati Airtel Ltd, Karnataka CEO V Venkatesh, speaking on the occasion, said that the newly launched service would help the farmers to enhance their productivity and play a bigger role in the State's growth.

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