Suttur, July 30, 2026: A workshop on the “Use of Solar Power in Agriculture” was organised on July 29, 2026, at the ICAR–JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur, under the joint auspices of the Agriculture Skill Council of India, Bengaluru South Region, and the National Skill Foundation of India (OSEI).
Inaugurating the workshop, Dr. M.J. Chandregowda, Principal Scientist, ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Bengaluru, said that the Central and State Governments had introduced several schemes for the welfare of farmers. He urged farmers to make effective use of these schemes and utilise available agricultural resources efficiently to increase their income.
Dr. Chandregowda advised farmers to improve crop productivity and prepare a detailed expenditure plan before undertaking cultivation. Instead of depending on a single crop, they should plan to cultivate a variety of crops. He also encouraged them to ensure a continuous source of income by taking up allied activities such as dairy farming, poultry farming and sericulture.
Speaking as the chief guest, Shri M. Purushottam Gowda, Regional Head, Bengaluru South, Agriculture Skill Council of India, said that training programmes on the use of solar power in agriculture were being organised for farmers across the State. He explained that farmers could generate the electricity required for their agricultural operations by installing solar power systems on their farms. They could also install additional solar power units on barren land and earn income by selling the electricity generated.
Presiding over the programme, Dr. B.N. Gyanesh, Senior Scientist and Head, ICAR–JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, said that the workshop had been organised to help farmers become self-reliant in meeting their electricity requirements. He urged farmers to make full use of the knowledge and guidance provided during the workshop.
Referring to the rainfall deficit recorded this year, Dr. Gyanesh advised farmers to plan for suitable alternative crops. He recommended cultivating pulses such as black gram and cowpea, along with green-manure crops such as dhaincha and sunhemp, which help improve soil fertility. He also encouraged farmers to take up dairy farming, fish farming in agricultural ponds and poultry farming as alternative sources of income.
Shri Mahadevaswamy rendered the invocation. Dr. Y.P. Prasad welcomed the gathering, while Dr. Deepak also extended a welcome. Shri Shamraj compered the programme.
More than 80 farmers, along with the staff members of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, participated in the workshop.
