August 2025

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.

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.