Latest news with #UniversityofAgriculturalSciences
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Applications invited for Krishi Media Award 2025
The Alumni Association of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, has invited applications for the 'Hombale Samhita Harinikumar Krishi Media Award – 2025.' The award recognises individuals in print and electronic media who actively report on agriculture and promote awareness among farmers. Eligible applicants include journalists, reporters, presenters, media professionals, and extension workers. The award includes a certificate and ₹10,000 in cash. Applications should be sent to Alumni Association (R), University of Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary College Campus, Hebbal, Bengaluru – 560024. The deadline to submit an application is August 14, 2025. For details, call 080-23410754, email alumniuasb83@ or visit
Time of India
6 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Honey turns sour as beehives in Karnataka come under attack
Bengaluru: Beekeepers across the state are facing a serious new threat: the invasion of small hive beetles, which is wreaking havoc on bee colonies and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. With over 60,000 beekeepers and an annual honey production of around 1,200 metric tons, the state has long been a buzzing hub for apiculture. However, these industrious insects are now under siege as the fast-spreading pest feeds on pollen, honey, and even dead bees. The larvae of small hive beetle are particularly damaging, destroying hives by consuming the protein-rich pollen and secreting a foul mucus that sours the honey and drives entire colonies to flee. The result is empty hives, plummeting honey yields, and heavy financial losses for apiculturists. What used to be prevalent in parts of southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Burma has now entered the Indian subcontinent as well, impacting apiaries across India. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Scientists from the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bengaluru, who have been closely tracking this pest for the past year, have started ringing the alarm bells loudly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo The control measures suggested by them include regular inspection of the bee colonies and maintaining hive hygiene, stopping the collection and supply of infected colonies from neighbouring states or within the state, burning and destroying the pest-affected hives, and completely cleaning the hives. Dr KS Jagadish, professor and head of the department of apiculture at UAS, revealed these beetles entered India through West Bengal and have now spread across the country. "Interstate transportation of colonies has contributed to the spread. While it impacts both species of honey bees — Apis cerana and Apis mellifera — the former has suffered the worst as the entire colony flees if infected. These species cannot withstand even a slight disturbance to their colonies and immediately, vacate the colony if there is an external invasion," he explained. Dr Vijay Kumar, another scientist at UAS, said, "We have been advising apiculturists to adopt the best hygiene practices, including cleaning the bottom board once every 8 to 10 days. The beetle is just 2 to 3 millimetres in size and hard like rubber but can lay 300 to 400 eggs. Hence, one should not allow the accumulation of dust and broken twigs at the bottom boards. During the shifting of colonies, if one comes across dark brown coloured brood, they must carefully verify and assess for these beetles. If beetles are found, farmers should immediately pick them manually and kill them. Even though we have been working on few bio control agents, currently, there is no other alternative to contain its spread." Mahadeva Swamy, an apiculturist from MM Hills, said, "Scientists and horticulture officials visited our farm for a survey. Luckily, we are free of infection as we do not source any colony from outside. However, there have been reports that in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and other southern states, it is spreading fast."
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Golden Jubilee Reunion for GKVK inaugural batch slated for July 22
The inaugural batch (1975–79) of GKVK Campus, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, will mark the 50th year since they joined the varsity with a day-long event, 'GKVK Jathre-50', on July 22. The event begins at 8.30 a.m. with a procession featuring traditional elements such as decorated 'Kole Basavas', tractors, and bullock carts. The march concludes at the Godambi Gazebo, followed by an inauguration by S.V. Suresha, Vice-Chancellor of UAS Bengaluru. The main reunion function will be held at the BSH Auditorium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where former teachers V. Veerabhadraiah and D. Rajagopal will be honoured. Post lunch, stalls, games, and a cultural programme will run in parallel until 6 p.m. The event includes sapling planting, an agricultural display, and a book fair. Alums, faculty, and students will participate.
Deccan Herald
09-07-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
Resilient ragi's acerage surges on good returns, stable markets
Bengaluru: Finger millet or ragi, popular for its nutritional value, has become a priority crop for growers as the last six years, ragi cultivation has seen the second-largest expansion among agricultural crops in Karnataka, after maize. While the area under maize increased from 15 lakh hectares in 2019 to 19 lakh hectares in 2024 (advanced estimates), the area under ragi grew from 6.73 lakh hectares to 8.73 lakh hectares during the from the agriculture department show that remunerative prices, stable markets and the crop's ability to withstand climatic variations are key reasons for the steady spread of of change: The women who revived 77 ragi varieties .Karnataka is the largest producer of ragi in the country, contributing more than 60% of the country's total production. In 2024-25, the state produced 13.5 lakh tonnes of ragi according to advanced estimates. .The rainfed crop spread to all districts in the state, except Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, in the drought year of 2018. Prior to 2018, this staple food of the Old Mysuru region was grown in 23 districts. .For the first time, the area under cultivation crossed eight lakh hectares in 2020, a year after the minimum support price (MSP) crossed Rs 3,000 a quintal. ."There is a positive correlation between MSP and the area under cultivation. Over the last seven to eight years, MSP has increased substantially for ragi. Traditionally, a late kharif crop, now ragi is grown even during the rabi season using residual moisture and occasional rainfall,' says G T Putra, the director of agriculture. In 2024-25, the minimum support price for finger millet was at Rs 4,290 a quintal. ."The decline in area in Kolar could be because of the availability of irrigation. With irrigation, farmers generally switch to vegetables or flowers," he the yield per hectare and correspondingly, the total production has been fluctuating over the past decade and have been declining since 2019-2020. Last year was an exception, with the 2024-25 advance estimates showing a considerable increase in the production. ."Ragi is a rainfed crop and its yield is directly linked to rainfall. Though it is a climate-resilient crop, there could be fluctuations in yield due to weather anomalies. The yield has not declined due to production practices," says Thimmegowda M N, head of the Agrometeorology Department at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. .Farmers also list factors like food and fodder security, ease of cultivation and mechanisation that make ragi a preferred crop. Farmer Manjunath K in Kottur taluk of Vijayanagara district says, "The crop grows well in adverse climatic conditions. It is resilient to drought, heat and poor soil conditions and brings us good income. The availability of machines has boosted its cultivation amid labour scarcity,' he says. .The cost of cultivation of ragi in one hectare area is around Rs 30,000, with an average yield of 12 to 13 this jowar farmer used to grow ragi as a minor intercrop for fodder. Now, he grows jowar during the kharif season, and ragi in rabi instead of pulses. "Jowar is used only for household consumption as prices are not remunerative," he says. .Despite being a climate-smart crop and a staple in the North Karnataka region, the area under jowar cultivation has dropped by 2.5 lakh hectares in the last five years. Experts attribute this to low MSP. Jowar's minimum support price for 2024 was Rs 3,371 a quintal for hybrid type and Rs 3,421 a quintal for Maldandi variety.."Ragi is the best example of how policy intervention could help sustain agriculture in times of climate change," says agriculture expert V Gayathri, who campaigned for the decentralisation of procurement centres for ragi. "Also, the ragi crop grown in both kharif, and rabi seasons is procured. These interventions should be extended to jowar as well," she says. .Inclusion in the PDS has also helped ensure market stability for ragi. Ragi procurement has remained consistent after it was introduced into the PDS seven years ago, along with jowar.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Jaggery Park in Mudhol non-functional
1 2 Pics: Jaggery Park's main building; The rusting machinery in Mudhol Jaggery Park Bagalkot: Bagalkot, which is known for its sugar production, is also famous for producing jaggery, especially organic jaggery. Jaggery presses were a common sight in the district as farmers used to produce jaggery in their fields. Organic jaggery produced in the district had also created demand in foreign countries and became an importat item of export. Russia was the main buyer. The state govt, in a bid to boost jaggery production, had established a jaggery park in Mudhol of Bagalkot district through University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad in 2013. However the park has become non-functional for the last two years and the machinery there are literally rusting and have reached a point of disrepair. Jaggery Parks were established in Mudhol in Bagalkot district and Sankeshwar in Belagavi district in 2013. Earlier, the then CM BS Yediyurappa had decided to set up a Jaggery Park in Bagalkot district and had offered to provide a grant of Rs 7 crore. However, when the then minister Umesh Katti expressed his desire to set up a park in Sankeshwar, which falls under his constituency, the grant was distributed equally to build the parks in both the districts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like नोएडा में बिक्री के लिए 3बीएचके फ्लैट की कीमतें आपको आश्चर्यचकित कर सकती हैं! 3BHK Flat For Sale in Noida | search ads Undo The govt wanted advanced technology to be used in the park. However, the sugarcane farmers complained that it was not different from the common Jaggery mills where the production was on traditional lines. A private firm was running the park in Mudhol and once the tender term ended, the production stopped. No company has come forward to continue the production even after fresh tenders were invited. When organic jaggery was exported from Bagalkot to Russia, the world turned its attention to Mudhol. Despite having 14 sugar factories in the district, farmers here have attracted attention by growing sugarcane organically and producing jaggery, which is completely chemical-free. The Mahalingapur market in the district is called the No. 1 market in the state for jaggery. The jaggery produced here is supplied not only to many countries but also to many states including Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and most of the districts of the state. There is a need to promote the production of organic jaggery and chemical-free jaggery. After the widespread talk that white food products including sugar are harmful to health, there has been a huge demand for jaggery. Mudhol Jaggery Park currently has a capacity of 40 tonnes of jaggery production. The farmers urged that the govt needs to make up its mind to give a new touch to the Jaggery Park with latest state-of-the-art machinery. For this, district minister RB Thimmapur, who is also the Mudhol MLA, should work for reviving the Park by adopting cutting-edge technology, said Subhash Shirabur, a farmer leader.
