Expressing concern over agricultural distress and the resultant adverse effects on the farming community and economy, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Karnataka Battu Satyanarayana has called upon farmers to treat agriculture as an industry and shift from conventional method of farming to technology-intensive farming to ensure profitability.
“To increase productivity and ensure profitability, you need to treat agriculture as an industry and work accordingly. The shift from traditional cropping to value-added produce backed by advanced technologies can do a great deal in increasing production and incomes,” he said.
He was speaking after the inauguration of a workshop on “Entrepreneurial opportunities in medicinal and aromatic plants and increasing farmers income” at the university near Kalaburagi on Tuesday.
The event was organised by the Department of Business Studies and the Department of Social Work of the university, in association with the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Bengaluru.
“Our Prime Minister’s dream is to double farmers income. To achieve it, you have to diversify your cropping and modernise agriculture. The government has introduced various schemes to realise the goal. You need to make use of them. Central University will come to your doorsteps and guide you. Farming in medicinal and aromatic plants is a good opportunity to increase your income,” he said.
Chief guest senior scientist at CIMAP Yogendra N.D. pointed out that most of the health products are manufactured using medicinal plants and farmers will greatly benefit if they market their products properly.
“Right from toothpaste that we use in the morning painkilling ointments that we use at night before going to bed have medicinal plants grown by farmers. Over 50 medicinal plants are in use to produce these health products. All these come from farmers. CIMAP works as a link between farmers and industry to ensure a seamless supply of medicinal and aromatic plants from the former to the latter. We help in growing these plants and increasing farmers income,” he said.
The beauty of these plants, he added, is that they grow in dry, waste and less fertile land and are well-suited to the tropical conditions of Kalyana Karnataka.
“Farmers in the region should start cultivating these plants to increase their income. Don’t worry about the value addition and marketing. We will bring industries to your doorstep. If you want to grow medicinal and aromatic plants, just contact us we will help you,” he said.
Senior Technical Officer from CIMAP Vijay H.N. made a presentation about the cultivation of different medicinal and aromatic plants.
“There are 2,000 medicinal and aromatic plants. However, a few of them are commercially profitable. Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Coleus, Lemongrass and Senna are well-suited to this region,” he said.
Programme convenor A.N. Vijayakumar, faculty members Channaveer R.M., Panduranga Patti, Devarajppa and Satyanarayan, M. Zohair, Ganapati B. Sinnoor, Jayadevi Jangamshetty, Pavitra Alur and others were present.
Farmers from Basavantawadi, Vaijapur, Alur, Suntanoor and Kadaganchi participated in the workshop.
