In the face of climate change, Karnataka Minister for Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy has emphasized the need for farmers to embrace technological innovations to enhance agricultural productivity and improve their livelihoods. Speaking at the inauguration of Krishi Mela in Mandya district, the minister urged farmers to adopt crop varieties that are suitable for the changing climatic conditions and to utilize technological advancements to increase yields, reported The Hindu.
Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy noted the significant shifts in weather patterns due to changing climatic conditions, highlighting the contrast with earlier years when timely rains and robust yields were the norm in agriculture. He underscored the current efforts of scientists and researchers in developing crop varieties tailored to adapt to these changing conditions. The Minister asserted that the adoption of technological innovations by farmers could lead to higher yields, thereby improving their income and financial stability.
While Mandya is an agriculture-centric district, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy acknowledged that farmers in Belagavi and Maharashtra lead in the adoption of farming technologies. Farmers in Belgavi get a yield of 120 tonnes of sugarcane per acre while the farmers in Mandya get a yield of around 60 to 70 tonnes, he said. He urged Mandya farmers to embrace systems supporting higher crop yields, citing the potential for enhanced financial stability.
The Minister called upon agricultural scientists to disseminate relevant information to farmers, ensuring awareness of ongoing research and practical adoption methods. Timely guidance, he stressed, is crucial for farmers, urging researchers to provide useful information.
Addressing scientists from agriculture universities, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy urged them to study Mandya’s climate, water, and soil, advising farmers on crops that can yield higher returns under local conditions. The Minister emphasized the importance of financial stability for farmers and recommended a thorough study of each taluk’s unique agricultural system.
MLA Darshan Puttanaiah appealed to scientists to assist farmers by recommending crops suitable for their local soil.
