Mysuru: Water harvesting in farm ponds can be a boon to farmers during times of uneven rainfall, opined Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda and urged farmers to utilise the precious resource under the government sponsored “Krishi Bhagya” scheme.
Speaking at an interaction programme with farmers at Shivannegowda’s farm in Mavinanhalli village, Krishna Byregowda said 70 percent of farmers relied on rainfall in the state whereas the state received rainfall for only 65 days in a year.
Farmers get busy with agricultural activities on receiving first showers but fail to think of the future to counter problems occurring in the event of uneven rainfall. It is important to plan at this stage and conserve water in ponds to tide over the crisis arising due to uneven rainfall, advised Byregowda. Farmer Shivanna Gowda has set an example for the farming community by constructing rainwater conservation ponds in his 5 acre plot and reaps an average monthly income varying from Rs 3-3.5 Lakh by growing vegetables like tomato and Ragi crops explained Byregowda.
With money, one can buy gold but in times of drought water cannot be purchased by paying money, said Byregowda and instructed the farmers not to wait for compensation for crop losses, instead grow crops by fighting vagaries of weather through constructive methods.
Government provides financial assistance varying from Rs 1 Lakh-Rs 1.5 Lakh to farmers for the construction of farm ponds to enable progressive farming, explained Byregowda.
There are 3500 farm ponds in Mysore district alone and farmers approaching agricultural department can avail financial aid. The focus should shift to drip and sprinkle irrigation to conserve water for which government provides 90 percent financial assistance.
Farmers can buy diesel pump sets individually by availing 50 percent financial aid and collectively 100 percent, stated Byregowda briefing about the government schemes for agriculture under Krishi Bhagya.
Commissioner in the department of Agriculture Dr. Satish, Director of Agriculture Dr. Gangappa and Joint Director Somasundar was present on the occasion.
