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Suttur, August 9, 2025: “Life should be pure like milk and honey,” said Shri H.B. Devanna, delivering a sermon on the 17th day of the Shravan month at Suttur Srikshetra. He emphasized that a pure life is one rooted in truth, justice, and love—upholding moral and spiritual values while fostering harmony in society.

He urged people to speak the truth, remain honest, avoid cheating, treat all equally, help others, forgive wrongdoers, let go of hatred, be grateful, face difficulties with patience, maintain health, protect nature, and keep the surroundings clean. Such a life, he said, benefits not only the individual but also brings peace, harmony, and prosperity to society.

Shri Devanna also narrated the story of Iribhakta, a devoted follower of Lord Shiva who strictly observed the eight auspicious objects (Ashtawarana)—Guru, Linga, Jangam, Vibhuti, Rudraksha, Mantra, Padodaka, and Prasadam. Iribhakta’s unwavering devotion led Lord Shiva to bestow upon him the title of Ganapadavi in Kailash.

The program began with a mass prayer and saw active participation from devotees and spiritual seekers. Services were rendered by Shri G. Shivamallu, Mrs. Jayamma, Mrs. Siddagangamma, Mrs. Shobha, and Mr. Somanna.

Suttur, August 8, 2025: ICAR JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Suttur organized a National Horticulture Day and Beekeeping Training Programme today to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. M. H. Marigowda, widely regarded as the father of horticulture in India.

Opening the session, Dr. Vinay G. M. informed participants that August 8 is celebrated as Horticulture Day to honour Dr. Marigowda’s vision, contributions, and achievements in the horticulture sector.

Inaugurating the programme, Dr. Boregowda, K.A.S. (Retd.), said Dr. Marigowda made horticulture his life’s mission and, owing to his work, farmers now earn higher incomes from horticultural crops—so much so that Karnataka is known as a horticulture state. He urged farmers to adopt value addition for horticulture produce and to increase yields naturally by practicing beekeeping. He also encouraged them to share their experiences in cultivating mango, lakshmana fruit, litchi, and other new crops.

Presiding over the programme, Dr. B. N. Gnanesh, Senior Scientist & Head, JSS KVK, said the KVK conducts Horticulture Day training every year, which farmers actively attend and benefit from. Noting the recent decline in honeybee populations due to increased chemical use in agriculture, he advised farmers to cultivate honey (beekeeping) to enhance pollination and improve yields. Mr. Kashappa, District Manager, National Fertilizers Limited, attended as Guest.

Plant Protection Expert Dr. Y. P. Prasad emphasized that beekeeping is integral to agriculture: it boosts crop pollination and, when practiced as an enterprise or sideline, can deliver substantial returns.

Mr. Ravi, a progressive bee farmer and the resource person for the training, provided an overview covering: the history of honey, origins of beekeeping, information on honey bees, stinging bees and stingless bees, other bee species, the work and roles of bees, and scientific methods of beekeeping. He also demonstrated experimental beekeeping and honey extraction at the Beekeeping Lab of the Agricultural Science Centre.

Subject matter experts Ms. Divya H. V., Mr. Shamraj, and Dr. Deepak from JSS KVK, staff members, and more than 70 farmers participated and benefited from the programme.

Suttur, August 7, 2025: In a significant step towards promoting nutritional security among women farmers, ICAR JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Suttur, in collaboration with Dhaan Foundation, Nanjangud, organized a Kitchen Garden Development and Maintenance Training Program, along with the distribution of nutritional kitchen garden kits, under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) Scheme.

The program aimed at empowering tribal women and farmers through knowledge and resources to establish and maintain nutritious kitchen gardens, thus enabling access to chemical-free, home-grown vegetables for daily consumption.

The event was presided over by Dr. B.N. Gnanesh, Senior Scientist and Head, ICAR JSS KVK, who inaugurated the session and addressed the gathering. In his speech, he emphasized the critical role of women in promoting household nutrition and highlighted how daily consumption of home-grown vegetables significantly improves family health.

Shri Prakash, Director, Dhaan Foundation, Nanjangud, attended as chief guest and spoke about the ongoing efforts in capacity building through JSS KVK. He encouraged the farmers to actively participate in such training programs and make the most of the available resources and expert guidance.

Also speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Damayanti Rao stressed the importance of cultivating poison-free, organic vegetables at home, stating that nutritious kitchen gardens are a step towards self-reliance and better health.

The technical sessions of the program covered various aspects of kitchen gardening:

• Vinay G. N., Horticulture Scientist, JSS KVK, delivered an in-depth talk on the design, maintenance, land preparation, sowing, and nutrient management of kitchen gardens.
• Prasad Y. P., Plant Protection Scientist, JSS KVK, spoke about the organic methods for pest and disease control, use of Panchagavya, cow dung, and kitchen waste management for sustainable gardening practices.
• Divya H. V., JSS KVK, discussed the concept and management of terrace gardens, especially in urban areas, highlighting their growing relevance and benefits.
• Deepak elaborated on the nutritional value of vegetables, explaining how micronutrient deficiencies and lifestyle diseases can be prevented through a balanced, vegetable-rich diet. He emphasized that vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and their regular consumption contributes significantly to health and well-being.

The program was well-received by the farming community. Over 60 farmers, both men and women, participated actively and gained practical knowledge. At the end of the event, participants were provided with nutritional kitchen garden kits and saplings, helping them kick-start their own home gardens.

Earlier in the session, Dr. Deepak welcomed the guests and participants, Mrs. Divya H. V. compered the program, and Dr. Rakshit Raj U. M. delivered the vote of thanks.

This initiative under the TSP scheme marks another step by JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra in its ongoing mission to empower rural and tribal communities through sustainable agricultural practices and nutritional awareness.

Dr. S. Chidambara, District Health Officer, Chamarajanagar, inaugurated the occasion and addressed the gathering. Dr.Rajesh Kumar M S, Reproductive and Child Health Officer, Chamarajanagar, and Dr. Ambika K, Associate Professor and HOD, Department of Child Health Nursing, JSS College of Nursing, Chamarajanagar, were the guests of the occasion. Mr. Vinay Kumar G, Principal, JSS School of Nursing, Chamarajanagar, and Mr. Vikas Nandy, AAO, JSS Hospital, Chamarajanagar, were present. B Sc Nursing and GNM students participated in the various competitions, and the Winners were rewarded.

Suttur, August 5, 2025: The ICAR JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, in association with the Department of Agriculture, organized a workshop on “Paddy Production Technologies for Monsoon Crop” and facilitated the live telecast of the 20th instalment of the Prime Minister’s Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

Inaugurating the workshop, Shri Ravi, Assistant Director, Agriculture Department, emphasized the importance of acquiring scientific knowledge in farming. “Farmers often approach our offices only to avail subsidies on sowing seeds, but rarely seek information on crop technologies,” he said. “Yield loss is often due to unscientific usage of chemical fertilizers. I urge farmers to consult experts from ICAR JSS KVK and officers from the Agriculture Department to avoid such losses,” he added.

He further informed that the Department provides not just subsidized sowing seeds, but also biofertilizers and agricultural implements on rental basis at reduced rates. Farmers were encouraged to make full use of these facilities.

Progressive farmer Shri Gopal delivered an insightful talk on black paddy varieties with medicinal value, specifically Kaljeera and Chakhao. He also highlighted the health benefits and growing market opportunities for black rice.

Subject matter experts from JSS KVK — Shri Shamraj, Smt. H.V. Divya, and Dr. Y.P. Prasad — presented detailed information on:

• Mechanization in paddy cultivation
• Seedling production techniques
• Balanced usage of chemical fertilizers and barnyard manure
• Improved paddy varieties and seed production
• Seed treatment methods
• Common pests, diseases, and control measures

In his address, Dr. Puneeth from Ayurveda College, Mysuru, spoke on the health impacts of excessive chemical fertilizer use. He strongly advocated for a shift toward organic farming and explained how many health issues can be managed using traditional household remedies.

Presiding over the program, Dr. B.N. Gnanesh, Head of ICAR JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, encouraged farmers to explore and adopt new paddy varieties available in the market. He emphasized growing crops with Geographical Indication (GI) tags, which can significantly increase profitability. He also briefed the audience about the benefits extended under the 20th instalment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and various government schemes introduced for the welfare and advancement of farmers.

Shri Prabhuswamy, President of Bharatiya Kisan Sangha (Nanjangud unit), also graced the occasion.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from agriculture department officials, JSS KVK staff members, and a large number of men and women farmers.