“Both the state and central governments should give more emphasis to agriculture.”-Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy

Bengaluru, December 23, (Karnataka News):
Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy opined that if 70 percent of the farmers in our agriculture-dominated country want to live a comfortable life, it is imperative that both the state and central governments give more emphasis to agriculture than other sectors.
Today, the Agricultural Technicians’ Association, in the Arekere Auditorium, jointly organized by the Samanvaya Trust, Food Chain Campaign, and ICAR-KVK Dakshina Kannada, felicitated the achievers who have achieved in the field of agriculture and shared their views while speaking. The life of a farmer is a very tough life. Mother Earth has never cheated those who embrace this tough life and work diligently. Despite problems like extreme weather conditions, falling prices, lakhs of farmers are living a comfortable life in agriculture.
It is a matter of great pride that the Agricultural Technicians’ Association has honored those who have achieved in agriculture and received awards at the national and state levels on the occasion of Farmers’ Day. Congratulating the agricultural achievers is like congratulating all the farmers of the state. The Agriculture Department has planned to celebrate Farmers’ Day with the Chief Minister on the 27th at GKVK.
In the last two and a half years, our government has implemented many programs to bring about many changes in the agricultural sector. We have provided many facilities in value addition, agricultural marketing, integrated agriculture, organic agriculture and sustainable agriculture. More than 5 thousand crores of insurance has been provided to farmers. Also, work is being done keeping in mind what kind of machinery can be provided under the subsidy scheme to encourage farmers. So far, more than 1500 crores of subsidy has been provided to farmers for the purchase of machinery. In addition to conducting research from universities and providing them with high-yielding varieties, they are also being given guidance in agriculture. Similarly, the problems faced by farmers are being solved by the government. He said that in the future too, our government will continuously implement programs to encourage farmers.
On this occasion, the Minister congratulated those who have achieved success in agriculture and conveyed his greetings to the farmers of the country on the occasion of Farmers’ Day.
Speaking on the occasion, FKCCI Senior Vice President T. Sai Rama Prasad said that this organization, started by Sir M. Visvesvaraya, is working to solve the problems of industry, trade and services by acting as a bridge between the government and them when they face difficulties due to government policies. Agriculture and industry should grow together. Farmers should not remain farmers, they should also grow as entrepreneurs. Technology and market should reach the farmers. FKCCI is working in this regard, he said.
Dr. A.B. Patil, President of the Institute of Agricultural Technologists, gave the introductory speech and said that if farmers want to grow, they should grow as an agricultural enterprise. Officials should stand up and respect farmers. We remember engineers when building houses, doctors when sick, and lawyers when in litigation. But we must remember the farmer while having three meals a day. Considering the significant service rendered by Chaudhary Charan Singh, the 5th Prime Minister of our country, his birthday is being celebrated as National Farmers’ Day. Therefore, a felicitation program has been organized for agricultural achievers on this day, he said. Sumangala K.H, founder of Samanvaya Trust, welcomed the guests at the program.
In the farmers’ celebration, Padma Shri awardees Satyanarayana Beleri, Amai Mahalinga Naik, Harekala Hajabba and Abdul Khader Nadakattin, who have achieved success in agriculture, education and agricultural machinery manufacturing, as well as Rajyotsava awardee Dr. M.C. Rangaswamy, who has achieved success in dairy farming, and Rajyotsava awardee Dr. S.V. Hittalamani, who is known as a mentor for walking farmers, were honored on this occasion.
The Minister launched the website, which has been set up with the aim of delivering agricultural products directly from farmers to consumers. On this occasion, K.A.P.P.E.C. Managing Director C.N.Sivaprakash, F.K.C.C.I. President Roop Rani and other dignitaries were present. Women agri-entrepreneurs who had arrived from various districts had organized an exhibition and sale of their prepared food items and seeds.