Suttur, October 30, 2026: A training programme on paddy and ragi production techniques was held on October 29, 2026, as part of the Save Agricultural Land Campaign (Khet Bachao Abhiyan), organised by the Union Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Mrs. D.N. Mamata, Assistant General Manager, Divisional Office, Karnataka State Agricultural Marketing Board, Mysuru, inaugurated the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Mamata said that ragi and paddy are important crops in Mysuru district. She explained that the Karnataka State Agricultural Marketing Board provides storage facilities for periods ranging from 90 to 180 days, enabling farmers to store their produce and sell it at favourable prices.
To avail themselves of the support price for these crops, farmers must approach their nearest Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) office, register their names, submit the required documents and ensure that a crop survey is conducted, she said.
Mrs. Mamata also informed participants about insurance assistance of up to Rs.1 lakh in the event of a farmer’s death while working on the farm and ₹10,000 in the event of disability. She advised farmers to contact the Karnataka State Agricultural Marketing Board for further information.
Presiding over the programme, Dr. B.N. Gnanesh, Head of ICAR JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, said that the Khet Bachao Abhiyan is being conducted across Mysuru district from October 22 to November 30 under the motto, “Save Soil, Save Agriculture, Save Farmers.”
He observed that farmers generally cultivate the same variety of paddy and encouraged them to explore indigenous varieties that could provide better income.
Expressing concern over farming practices, Dr. Gnanesh said that labour shortages have led farmers to increasingly use herbicides in paddy fields while reducing the application of manure. He cautioned that these practices could result in harmful residues in rice and deteriorating soil fertility, leaving barren agricultural land for future generations.
He said that adopting the Guni method of sowing in ragi could help farmers obtain good yields and identified GPU 26, GPU 28, MR1 and MR6 as varieties suitable for the Mysuru region.
Agricultural expert Mr. Shamraj explained production techniques for paddy and ragi, including seed treatment, integrated nutrient management, and integrated disease and pest management.
More than 60 farmers, along with staff of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, participated in the programme.