The Hindu Business Line : 3 farm science centres coming up in Karnataka

The Director of Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Prof V. Veerabhadraiah, told Business Line here on Wednesday that the paddy research station at Kankanady in Mangalore and Agricultural Research Station at Ullal would come under the farm science centre for Dakshina Kannada district. Other two centres will come up in Davangere and Chamarajnagar districts.

He was here to participate in the golden jubilee celebrations of the Agricultural Research Station at Ullal in Mangalore.

He said Rs 500 crore has been earmarked in the 10th Plan for the establishment of farm science centre, popularly known as "Krishi Vijnan Kendra", in more than 500 districts in the country. Funded by Indian Council for Agricultural Research, these centres help in training farmers about the agricultural activities specific to the area.

Meanwhile, inaugurating the cashew farmers' meet at Ullal Agricultural Research Station, the President of the Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation, Mr K. Taranath Shetty, said that cashew is the best example for alternative agriculture. It gives good yield with low investment. However, he said that contractors are deciding the fate of the cashewnut market rather than the growers. "We have failed in giving information about cashew cultivation to growers," Mr Shetty said.

Cashew cultivation plays a significant role in the economy of coastal Karnataka, and comes second after beedi industry. The situation will be difficult for cashew industry in the country if Vietnam starts cashew-processing units there, he said.

The Vice-Chancellor of University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Dr A.M. Krishnappa, who presided over the function, urged the Government and the Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation to earmark a small percentage of their revenue to the research and development activities on cashew cultivation.

Farmers interacted with agricultural scientists and experts at the meet.

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