Kodagu: Three agriculturists from Kodagu district won state level awards in the ‘Krishi Mela’ organised under the aegis of Shivamogga University of agriculture and Horticulture Sciences. Ponnchettira Subbiah from Madikeri Taluk, Someyanda Ganesh Thammiah from Virajpet Taluk and Patrnagada Gangamma from Virajpet taluk received the awards in different categories.
Orange grower, known as orange king, Ponnachettira Subbiah, surmounted odds by growing 1400 orange plants and reaping 40 kg yield for each plant. Recognising his efforts, the state horticulture department has evinced interest in his mode of plantation as he has inspired many growers in the area to take up orange plantation despite considerable drop in output in recent years. This grower from Ibnivalavadi village in the district received the best agriculturist award jointly presented by state agricultural minister Krishna Byregowda and State Revenue minister Kagodu Thimmpppa.
Retired soldier from Nalluru Village near Ponnampet in Virajpet taluk got the award in paddy growing category for harvesting a record 124 quintals paddy per hectare area and he was specially felicitated for his achievement in employing integrated farming on the occasion.
In the Women category Patrangada Gangamma from Kunda village in Virajpet taluk received the award where she is growing horticultural products along with coffee in her plantations. She has become a role model with her innovative techniques in farming and hence, awarded best woman agriculturist.
