Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the Malnad Summit of Start-ups at PES Institute of Technology in Shivamogga on Saturday.
Shivamogga
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the farmers’ producer organizations (FPOs) can create a new revolution in the agriculture sector of the country.
Speaking after inaugurating the Malnad Startup Summit organized by Anvesana, an innovation and entrepreneurial forum at PES Institute of Technology on Saturday, Mr. Chouhan said the FPOs had been contributing to the growth of the agriculture sector in a big way.
“FPOs are creating brands, adding value to products, and helping farmers get scientific prices for their products. They can lead a new revolution in the agriculture sector in the country,” the Minister said.
He appreciated the entrepreneurs who launched start-ups aiming at benefiting the farming sector. “They have come up with innovative ideas to strengthen the agriculture sector and help the farmers in a big way. The PES college is doing a commendable job in providing the young entrepreneurs with the necessary support by setting up Anvesana,” he said.
Mr. Chouhan said the Union government was working toward reducing the cost of production. Farmers need to carry their produce to bigger cities to get a better price for their products. “We have planned to reduce the burden on farmers by bearing the transportation cost. Both the Central and State governments will bear the cost equally. We are working out a programme to help the farmers.”
Referring to the PM Kissan Samman Nidhi scheme, Mr. Chouhan said earlier that farmers of Karnataka were getting ₹10,000 under the scheme. The State’s contribution had been stopped. However, the farmers of Madhya Pradesh were getting the benefit as the State was being ruled by the BJP government.
The Union Minister appealed to the farmers to move towards organic farming gradually. “The overdependence on chemical fertilisers will spoil the soil. We need to move towards sustainable organic farming,” he said.
Lok Sabha member B.Y. Raghavendra, legislators S.N. Channabasappa, Sharada Puryanaik, Dhananjay Sarji, D.S. Arun, C.M. Patil of Anvesana, Prof. R.C. Jagadeesha, Vice-Chancellor, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University, and others were present on the occasion.
Published – January 18, 2025 08:25 pm IST