Minister of State for Agriculture inaugurates various facilities at ICAR-KVK, Belagavi-II

9th March 2024, Karnataka

Ms. Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt of India, inaugurated Farmers Hostel, Staff Quarters, and Automated Drip Irrigation Unit at ICAR-KLE KVK, Mattikopp (KVK, Belagavi II). During the event, Ms. Karandlaje released a video, six publications, Bio-agents of KVK, and felicitated two farm women & four farmers.

Ms. Karandlaje, highlighted India's Green Revolution, which led to self-sufficiency in food production. She further added that the country now has surplus food production, with annual production of 330 million tons of food grains and 265 million tons of vegetables and fruits. The Minister emphasized the importance of drip irrigation for efficient water management and praised the Host Organisation's efforts in constructing farmers' hostels and staff quarters with modern amenities. She expressed happiness over the commissioning of an automated drip irrigation system and urged farmers to adopt it for efficient water use without soil health hazards.

The Minister acknowledged the Host Organisation for constructing the Farmer's Hostel and Staff Quarters with modern amenities, enabling farmers to provide training and residential facilities for the KVK staff.

Dr. V. Venkatasubramanian, Director, ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Bengaluru said that the host organization KLE Society has been providing the best infrastructure facilities to the farmers since its inception in 2011.  He emphasised the efforts of the host organization for building farmers' hostel and staff quarters with the latest facilities to facilitate KVK to conduct long-duration training for the farmers/farm women and rural youths of the region. 

Dr. Prabhakar Kore, Chairman, KLE Society, emphasised the importance of quality seeds in agriculture production. He highlighted the issue of spurious seeds and fertilizers and suggested that the KLE KVK has taken steps to improve seed production and water efficiency. Dr. Kore spoke about the installation of an automated drip irrigation system, demonstrating efficient water use. He urged the farmers to utilize the information, services, and inputs provided by the KVK to enhance their productivity and profitability.

Dr. P. L. Patil, Vice-Chancellor, UAS, Dharwad, highlighted the role of KVKs in integrating agriculture, including horticulture, sericulture, and forestry, in enhancing the income of the farming community in the region.

Shri B. R. Patil, Chairman, ICAR-KLE KVK, Mattikopp, Smt. Sridevi B. Angadi, Senior Scientist & Head, ICAR-KLE KVK, Mattikopp, was also present during the programme.

(Source: ICAR-KLE Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mattikopp)