KERALA'S FIRST HIGH-TECH FARMING DEMONSTRATION UNIT

       KERALA'S FIRST     HIGH-TECH FARMING DEMONSTRATION UNIT

Inaugurating 'KrishiMela,' an agriculture fair at Santhigiri Fest 2012, which is being organised at Santhigiri Ashram by the Ashram's Agriculture Department in collaboration with the state department of Agriculture and state Horticultural Mission, he said the unit will help farmers acquaint themselves with modern mechanised farming techniques to cope with acute labour shortage in the sector.Green houses and poly houses, which can help farmers grow rare varieties of medicinal plants in controlled temperature and moisture conditions, will be set up at the facility.There will also be demonstration of precision farming techniques which can help farmers achieve greater control over productivity by steps like limiting fertilizer usage without putting the environment at risk, he said.

He added that the State Agriculture Department has been enjoying ample support from the State and Union Governments. The budget presented by the Finance Minister K.M. Mani has given much prominence to the development of bio-farming and precision farming practices.The minister added that the Agriculture Department would take every possible effort to put Central funds to maximum use.Karshakasree Awards and information kiosks on agriculture loans and bank saving schemes are being organised at the mela. 

                                                     Prof. John Kurakar