Minister for Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy advised farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices and technology to achieve better yield and shore up economic growth and increase their income.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Raitha Dasara here on Friday, the Minister said adopting new technology entails switching to modern machinery to overcome shortage of farm labour and achieve higher yield.
Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy decried the tendency of many of the farmers to use old seeds that have lower disease resistance and urged them to shift to scientifically improved modern varieties, which would lead to better yields and greater economic prosperity.
He also underlined the importance of adopting integrated farming through technology.
Referring to farm mechanisation, the Minister pointed out that sugarcane harvesters were exorbitantly priced, and the government was assisting the SC/STs of the farming community to purchase the machinery with 50% subsidy. He said that more than ₹1,000 crore has been earmarked for the purpose and 334 farmers have already availed themselves of the benefits of the scheme.
The Minister said that all necessary facilities and guidance to farmers were being extended by the department and they were urged to make the best use of the various programmes rolled out by the government.
“In Raitha Dasara, various departments related to agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, dairying, and sericulture have come together to put up an exhibition to provide information related to the respective sectors and the farmers should make use of the opportunity,” he said.
Speaking of the Raitha Dasara, the Minister said that India was a land of farmers and agriculture was the predominant activity of the majority of the people. By organising Raitha Dasara, the farmers were being honoured, said Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy.
The Minister for Social Welfare H.C. Mahadevappa, Minister for Animal Husbandry K.Venkatesh honoured a few progressive farmers, including women farmers, who had made a mark in the farming sector by achieving high yield at low costs.
A handbook on Agro-Eco Tourism was released to disseminate information on agriculture-related activities in rural areas. Pusha Amarnath, Vice-Chairman, State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority, K. Harish Gowda, MLA, Deputy Director of Agriculture B.N. Dhananjaya, and others were present.
As part of the inauguration, a rally of bullock carts was also organised.
Published – September 26, 2025 07:14 pm IST
