Karnataka’s progress hinges on farmers’ prosperity: N. Cheluvarayaswamy

Minister for Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy on Friday said that around 60 to 70% of Karnataka’s population depends on agriculture, and the government is committed to continuously supporting the sector.

Speaking at a one-day workshop on establishing a district-level farmers’ market (R-Mart), organised by the Agriculture Department and the District Agricultural Training Institute, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy, who is also the Minister in charge of Mandya district, said that the State’s progress hinges on the economic strength of farmers. “With this in mind, more schemes are being extended to the Agriculture Department, and farmers should make the best use of them,” he said.

Citing the five guarantee schemes, milk subsidies, and other forms of assistance, he said that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are working to turn Karnataka into a ‘Ram Rajya’.

He called for an increase in Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and greater focus on branding, processing, value addition, and marketing to strengthen farmers’ income.

Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said that the State faces a lower shortage of urea compared to other States, and added that arrangements have been made to ensure timely supply during the sowing season.

He cautioned that excessive use of urea depletes soil nutrients and lowers yield, urging farmers to adopt organic and green manure.

The Minister advised farmers to adopt controlled, need-based water usage to improve productivity and suggested that they test the method by comparing yields from plots with limited and excess irrigation.

P. Ravikumar, MLA for Mandya; Dinesh Gooligowda, MLC; Krishna, Food Corporation Chairman; C.D. Gangadhar, MySugar Chairman; Kumar, Deputy Commissioner; K.R. Nandini, Zilla Panchayat CEO; Mallikarjun Baladandi, Superintendent of Police; Ashok, Joint Director of Agriculture; and other officials attended the event.