Mangaluru: The National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit and Karaseva Trust of the Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) in association with Krishi Vigyan Kendra organized a paddy plantation programme at Kattathila, Salettur on the 4th August 2019 to create awareness regarding the cultivation of paddy among students.
53 students and faculty of Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) participated in the undertaking to create awareness even as they grow their own food. The uniqueness of this undertaking is that not only did these students successfully cultivate rice on land which was fallow; they will also use the field’s produce to feed government school students of Kattathilla.
The paddy planting programme was inaugurated symbolically with dignitaries’ planting paddy in the field. Yenepoya’s NSS and Karaseva Trust volunteers were present on the occasion.
Dr. Ashwini S Shetty, Programme Coordinator, NSS spoke on the importance of NSS volunteers involving in social activities. Dr. Chetan, Scientist, Fisheries and In-charge Head Krishi Vigyan Kendra, highlighted the importance of farming. Ms. Tejaswini provided a brief on the Karaseva trust and their contribution to the Govt school Kattathila. Karaseva trust ( It is medical students run organization for school, community development, and health promotion activities) President Anmol and Ms Aishwarya, Dr. Umakulkarni Prof. Opthalmology, Dr. Shripad Prof. Dept of Anaesthesia Dr. Mallikarjun Scientist, Soil Science, Dr. Kedarnath, Scientist, Plant Pathologist from ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Headmistress of the Govt school Kattathilla Dr. Imran, NSS Programme Officer and Dr. Vishnu, Faculty Yenepoya Homeopathy college were present on the occasion.
It is expected that the one quintal of rice that will be produced by the students’ effort will help feed the 36 students of the Govt. School, Kattathila till the end of the current academic session.
Why should students involve themselves in farming activity?
Rice is the most important food crop of India covering about one-fourth of the total cropped area and provides a nutritious diet to about half of the Indian population. The importance of the continued cultivation of paddy cannot be underestimated or ignored.
Farming activity exposes the students to the long and tough process of bringing food from the field to their plate.
It helps them learn the intricacies of growing their own food, understanding farm life and inculcates a love of nature and the environment. It also helps keep the student physically fit as it involves physical labour and removes any misgivings that a student might have had with regards to agriculture or farming. More important, it is an activity that students can indulge in without a laptop, a mobile phone and the internet. It will also hopefully send out the right message about waste! As they will realise for themselves the effort that goes into growing it!
During the cultivation programme, students helped level the field; plant seedlings, remove weeds, and finally harvest their produce. The local populace was highly impressed with the students’ effort and local farmers and leaders even joined them in their mission. Programmes like this it is hoped will help attract people to farming as the sector is already facing a talent drain.
