Statewide sowing campaign launched at Chinchalli village

Time of India

a day ago

Mysuru: Agriculture minister N Cheluvarayaswamy launched the statewide sowing campaign on Thursday at Chinchalli village in Hanur taluk in Chamarajanagar district.
The event organised by the district administration, zilla panchayat, and agriculture department aims to promote timely sowing and advanced farming practices.
The campaign began with the symbolic sowing of ragi on the farmland of progressive farmer Dayanand.
Minister for animal husbandry, sericulture, and Chamarajanagar district in-charge Minister K Venkatesh joined the ceremony, which also included a demonstration of drone-assisted pesticide spraying—a step toward precision farming. As part of the initiative, various agricultural implements were distributed to local farmers.
Beneficiaries received equipment such as power tillers, rotavators, chaff cutters, power weeders, and oil extractors through the agriculture department.
Speaking at the event, Cheluvarayaswamy emphasised the benefits of integrated farming, which he said can significantly boost farmers' income. "With just one acre, a farmer can earn up to Rs 10 lakh annually by combining vegetable cultivation, farm ponds, fishery, and livestock rearing," he said, citing real-life success stories.
He urged farmers to gradually reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers due to their long-term health impacts and advocated for organic and natural farming practices.
"The govt is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture through increased subsidies for micro-irrigation systems and organic inputs," he added.
The minister also highlighted the importance of crop insurance, encouraging farmers to enrol under the scheme to protect themselves from crop losses due to climate variability and other risks.
"Paying a small premium today can safeguard your future in times of adversity," he remarked.
The Krishi Bhagya scheme, previously limited to select regions, has now been extended to all 224 taluks across the state. Cheluvarayaswamy encouraged farmers to leverage govt subsidies, adopt modern technologies, and follow the guidance of the agriculture department and universities.
Venkatesh reiterated that while agriculture is a demanding profession, it can be highly rewarding with consistent effort.
He encouraged farmers to take advantage of govt initiatives and modernise their farming methods to reduce labour costs and increase productivity. He also mentioned that the state cabinet recently convened in the district, where several key development schemes were approved, and will be implemented shortly.
Hanur MLA MR Manjunath noted that the majority of Hanur's population relies on agriculture. He commended the growth in dairy farming and horticulture in the region, especially the cultivation of bananas, turmeric, and onions. He stressed the importance of ensuring adequate electricity and irrigation support to empower the farming community.