Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, S.A. Patil has expressed concerns about the current state of agriculture and the declining interest in the field.
To address this issue, he has proposed the inclusion of agriculture as a subject at the school level. Patil believes that the perception of agriculture as unprofitable needs to change, and introducing it as a subject early on will instill a scientific approach among students and encourage them to consider farming as a viable career option.
Speaking at a training program for the red gram and millet growers organized by the Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI), Patil emphasized the importance of farmers themselves engaging in farming to ensure the sustainability of agriculture.
He also urged farmers to explore allied professions such as poultry farming, vermicompost manure preparation, and beekeeping.
According to him, agriculture offers both wealth and health benefits that are unmatched in other fields. He asked farmers to harness water resources and engage in collective agriculture to maximize their returns.
Patil highlighted the need for innovative thinking and collaboration in agriculture, similar to what is seen in other important aspects of life like construction and marriage.
KKCCI Secretary Manjunath Jewargi assured Patil of adding agricultural experts to the KKCCI Agricultural Sub-Committee and forming a core committee dedicated to promoting agriculture in the region on a regular basis.
The event was presided over by KKCCI President Shashikanth B. Patil, and the Chairman of the Agriculture Sub-Committee, Jagadish Gajare, was also present.
During the training program, sessions were conducted by scientists from Kalaburagi's Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Zonal Agricultural Research Station, focusing on red gram cultivation. In the afternoon session, Assistant Professor, Dairy Science College, Mahagaon, Mallinath Hemadi and MD, FPO, Aland, Rakshita Ladvanti provided training on the cultivation of millets.
