Final-year students of Hanumanamatti Agricultural College showcased farmers’ challenges and solutions through a three-month field study in four taluk villages.
Haveri
Students of Hanumanamatti Agricultural College, who conducted a special camp for three months in four villages of the taluk, focused on the problems faced by today’s farmers today the exhibition ‘Namma Devagiri Krishi Karaga’.
The final year B.Sc students, who had selected Devagiri, Varadahalli, Naganur and Aaladakatti villages in the taluk, visited the lands of selected farmers in the village and conducted an analytical study.
They interacted with farmers who grow various crops including maize, soybean, cotton, areca nut, and chili, and learned about all the stages of their lives. He documented the problems faced by farmers in the process, from tilling the land to harvesting and transporting the crop to the market. He also discussed with the farmers about the diseases seen in the crop and their solutions.
Six students were given a village. In each village, one student was given the responsibility of studying the agricultural activities of five farmers. Each student interacted with the farmers and recorded all their work. They learned about farming practices, seeds and medicine usage, he said.
Most farmers in the villages grow maize. The threat of armyworm and armyworm is severe. In addition, rust disease is also prevalent. All the problems were listed and farmers were brought together once a week to discuss them. Farmers were also informed about modern technology. Most farmers are cultivating without chemicals. Information was also given about integrated farming practices in organic methods. Advice was also given on agricultural sciences, he said.
Students shared their views, saying, farmers who are engaged in agriculture are suffering more losses than profits. Farmers who are engaged in integrated farming are earning a reasonable income. Farmers who rely on a single crop are remaining in debt.