Suttur, November 2, 2021: The JSS ICAR Krishi Vignana Kendra, Suttur, in association with the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Corporation, Government of Karnataka, had organized a one-day workshop on the topic, “Fuel Saving and Water Conservation Measures,’ at the Allama Prabhu auditorium in the JSS Educational Institution complex in Suttur on October 30, 2021.
Sri G.H. Yogeesh, Deputy Director, Agriculture Department, Naganahalli District Agriculture Training Center, participated as the resource person. In his talk, he explained that the rivers, tube wells, tanks, and groundwater are major sources of water for agriculture. “The rivers in South India will be full and flow only during rainy seasons. There will be water scarcity for the remaining months of the year. Hence, the farmers should undertake cultivation across the slopes in their agricultural fields and construct pits. It will increase the groundwater level and reduce water scarcity,” he said. He asked the farmers not to burn field waste, and instead convert it as compost and use it to increase soil health. It also helps erosion of soil and absorbs rainwater, he added.
Sri N.M. Dinesh Kumar, Officer, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Corporation, Bengaluru, in his address, informed that the Department has implemented several programs to enable fuel efficiency measures, keeping in mind the increasing demand for power and energy in the agricultural sector, and its proper management. “Along with agricultural pump sets, farmers are given solar panels. The solar panels are given at subsidized rates for farmers who install the solar panels on the rooftop of their houses, produce electricity, and supply it to KPTCL. Solar lamps are also being installed at public places,” he added. He also informed that more farmers should install solar pump sets in the fields.
Sri N.M. Shivashankarappa, Director, Horticulture Department, JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Mysuru, presided over the program. In his address, he informed that in India, the agricultural sector is using 50% water and 30% power, leading to scarcity of both. “As a large portion of cultivable land is rain-based, rains play an important role, and the groundwater is an alternative source for it. As more farmers are marginal and poor, the government is providing power supply at subsidized rates or free of cost. Also, it is noticed that not many farmers know or are using alternative sources of energy, like solar energy. Hence, more farmers should try to know about it and give preference to install solar agricultural pump sets,” he added.
More than 100 farmers, including both men and women, members of the Farmer Producers’ Organization of Esha Foundation, farmers of the Dharmastala Rural Development Institute and Outreach organization, and B.Ed. students of JSS College took part in the workshop.
Smt. H.V. Divya welcomed the guests and the gathering. Smt. Netravathi Ettinamani gave a vote thanks, and Sri Shamraj mastered the program.
Guests inaugurating the one-day workshop on ‘Fuel Saving and Water Conservation Measures.’ Sri G.H. Yogeesh, Deputy Director, Naganahalli District Agriculture Training Center, Sri N.M. Shivshankarappa, Director, Horticulture Department, JSS MVP, Sri N.M. Dinesh Kumar, Technical Officer, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Corporation, Bengaluru, Smt. H.V. Divya, Senior Scientist and In-charge Head, JSS KVK and staff members of the JSS KVK are seen in the picture.