The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Dharwad stands to gain from the maiden agriculture budget presented by chief minister B S Yeddyurappa. The CM has allocated a whopping Rs 50 crore to the UAS (Dharwad) for taking up advanced research activities to enhance production of crops.
Vice Chancellor R R Hanchinal told Business Standard on Monday that out of the total fund of Rs 50 crore, Rs 40.75 crore would be utilised for farmer-oriented development activities and certain quantum of funds would be used for Integrated Farming System (IFS).
Under the special component and tribal welfare programme of the state government, demonstration of IFS in districts of north Karnataka for empowering the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes would be implemented. This programme would be implemented effectively through Transfer of Technology Centre(ToTC) situated in the jurisdiction of UAS Dharwad and UAS Raichur.
Under this system, different components like seeds of field crops, growing perennial tree species like mango, sapota, curry leaf, vermin compost units, dairy animals, honey production units would be incorporated to obtain sustainable income for creation of employment opportunities, he asserted.
Similarly, the Union government in principle has agreed to give Rs 60 crore for holding IFS demonstration in 25,000 hectare.
Besides, the UAS has been sending SMS (short message service) to more than 5,000 farmers in every district regarding the measures to be taken to control pest attacks, yield enhancement, manure supply and yield rates in respective APMS. Now, this measure would be extended to more farmers, he maintained.