Category: Agriculture

** Commercial cultivation of bamboo begins in Karnataka’s coastal region

Bharatiya Kisan Sangh has distributed 10,000 tissue cultured plants of bamboo in the last one year in the coastal region

With the threat of Yellow Leaf Disease spreading to vast tracts of arecanut plantations looming large, farmers in the State’s coastal belt have now begun commercial cultivation of bamboo in a small way.

The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, which has taken the lead, has distributed 10,000 tissue cultured plants of bamboo from Bhatkal to Kasaragod (Kerala) in the last one year, according to sangh director and convener M.G. Sathyanarayana. Except a farmer who has cultivated them as an orchard, a majority of them have taken it up as border cultivation.

** Mangaluru: MUDA initiative – Half dozen ponds developed, six more underway

Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has been striving to rejuvenate ponds within its limits with a view to conserve them and thus enrich underground water table. Six ponds have already been developed and ready for inauguration while six more ponds are in different stages of rejuvenation.

** Karnataka’s vet ambulance service moo-ves 14 states to action

Karnataka’s ambulance service for the livestock — Pashu Sanjeevini — is being emulated by other states across the country, said Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Chauhan here on Wednesday.

Followed by the success of the service, the government is now planning to launch mobile veterinary operation theatres soon.

** Shepherds India sets sights on rendezvous by Nile river

For starters, the community members will gather at the Shepherds India meeting in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on October 2  for the sixth annual meeting.

Shepherds India president MLC A H Vishwanath said, “We started this movement on Gandhi Jayanti six years ago and the reason we chose October 2 was because Mahatma Gandhi called for strengthening rural professions like animal husbandry and sheep rearing as far back as 1942 saying that is the way to strengthen the nation. Although shepherds across the nation follow different religious practices, they are united by a common heritage and Shepherds India is seeking to bring them all together.’’

** Small steps, big changes

This 15-year-old student from the city is basking in the glory of his new title, India 20 Under 20, an initiative recognised by Niti Aayog.

Yathaarth Murthy, a Class 10 student, grew concerned about the environment. This was the trigger to draw a vision to save Bengaluru from polluting water bodies.

The 15-year-old has now been adjudged  one among the 20 winners of the first-ever initiative in India – India 20 Under 20 – organised by White Canvas, a mentoring organisation that works closely with youngsters in India and is recognised by Niti Aayog. 

Murthy, who is also an ‘anthemologist’ and holds a record in the Limca Book of Records for being able to sing the national anthems of 260 countries. “My music teacher taught me four national anthems on the keyboard when I was 10 years old. I learnt the rest from YouTube,” adds Murthy. 

** Kundapur: Meet Sathish Hegde who mastered freshwater pisciculture besides agriculture

Sathish Hegde, a young farmer from Rattaddy village stands as an example to prove that even barren land can be converted into gold if hard work and confidence coupled with honest efforts are combined.

In recognition of his achievements, he has bagged agriculture award from Dharmasthala in 2015, best agriculturist award of Kundapur taluk in 2017, and Sablady Sheenappa Shetty award – 2018. He also served as the president of Kundapur taluk central society of DRDP during 2015-17. He is an enthusiastic young farmer who goes to different places to impart information about agriculture.

Pisciculture: For the last six to seven years, he has been undertaking freshwater pisciculture. He has built a tank for the purpose. He had got training organized by DRDP at Amasebail about pisciculture. Many who have drawn inspiration from him are now undertaking pisciculture.

** Mangaluru: Prepare your taste buds to savour fish chakkuli

Fish, which usually was found on the table during the dinner or lunch of coastal people has now been presented in the form of a crispy eatable which can become a regular item along with tea.

The fish chakkuli (chakli) made by four women has succeeded in winning over the hearts of the fish lovers.

** V for Vegan! FSSAI okays Bengaluru girl’s logo

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has chosen the vegan foods’ logo designed by a Bengaluru-based college girl.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has chosen the vegan foods’ logo designed by a Bengaluru-based college girl. The logo, a simple ‘V’ with a small plant on top of it has been recognised, approved and will be the face of all vegan foods.

It took only 20 minutes for Kruti Manish Rathore (22), an MSc, second year, Food Science and Nutrition student of Mount Carmel College,  to come up with the idea.  FSSAI released the logo for all vegan foods on September 21 and stated: “The new logo is green in colour, as a V inscribed in the middle with a small plant on top of it.”