Foundation stone for construction of Farmers Hostel at KVK, Ballari was laid down by Honourable MoS for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Sushri Shobha Karandlaje on 14.11.2022. The hostel will be constructed with a total outlay of Rs 105 lakhs. She also inaugurated Seminar on 'Importance of millets and ODOP scheme of Govt. of India in ascertaining nutritional security'. During the programme Honorable District Minister and Minister for Transport and ST welfare, Govt. of Karnataka, Sri B Sriramulu, MP, BallariLokasabha Sri Y Devendrappa, MP, KoppalaLokasabha Sri KaradiSanganna, MLA Ballari Urban Sri G Somashekara Reddy took part as chief guests. Sri B Nagendra, MLA, Ballari Rural presided over the function.

Sushri Shobha Karandlaje highlighted initiatives of Govt. of India in doubling farmers income and in nurturing agri startups. An exhibition on recent developments in agriculture was organized during the programme. Use of Drones in agriculture, value addition to fig were showcased. Exhibition of Elite bulls of Gir and Murrah attracted the crowd in large numbers. Dr M. Hanumanthappa, Vice Chancellor of UAS, Raichur, other key officials, Board Members of University and Director, ATARI, Bengaluru Sri V Venkatasubramaniam also graced the occasion. A total of near to 1100 farmers took part in the well organised programme conducted by team of KVK Ballari scientists.

An Interactive program with Union Minister of state for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje was organised by ICAR-Taralabalu Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Davangere at Sirigere, Chitradurga district of Karnataka. The program was held in divine presence of His Holiness Sri Dr.Shivamurthy Shivacharya Mahaswamiji, Sri Taralabalu Bruhanmat, Sirigere and in presence of Sri G. M. Siddeshwara, Member of Parliament and Dr. V. Venkatasubramanian, Director, ICAR- ATARI, Bengaluru, Sri H.R. Basavarajappa, President of Farmers Organisation, Dr Devaraja T.N., Head of the KVK, Davangere.

The program was specifically organised for the interaction between shareholders of farmers’ producer companies established by ICAR-Krishivigyana Kendra, Davangere with honourable Minister. The shareholders discussed the problems faced by the farmers’ producer companies especially with the initial stages and the progress to be made in the coming years. Honourable Minister received all the grievances of the companies and assured them the all possible help from the government. Honourable central Minister also visited the exhibition where processed and packaged products from the farmers’ producer companies were displayed. The honourable Minister appreciated the initiative taken by ICAR -KrishiVigyan Kendra Davanagere in establishing 17 FPOs in 3 districts, viz., Davangere, Chitradurga and Haveri which is first of its kind by any KVK in the country.

India Post, Department of Posts, Ministry of communications, Govt. of India released special cover on Jackfruit products on 15.11.2022 under the One District One Product (ODOP) Scheme. The ODOP scheme is being implemented across the country as part of the PM formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme launched by Ministry of Food Processing Industries under the banner of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’. Jack fruit is the ODOP crop of the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The release is also a recognition for the pioneering efforts made by ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, CARD, Pathanamthitta for the transformation of Jackfruit from the most “wasted fruit” to the ‘State fruit’ of Kerala. The special cover release programme was organized in the Pathanamthitta Head Post Office. Rt. Rev Thomas Mar TimotheosEpiscopa, Chairman, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pathanamthitta inaugurated the ceremony. Sri. K. K. Devis, Director of Postal Services, Circle office Thiruvananthapuram released the special cover by handing over it to Dr. C. P Robert, Senior Scientist and Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Pathanamthitta. Krishi Vigyan Kendra Pathanamthitta is also the State Resource Centre (SRC) for Jack fruit funded by the Department of Agricultural Development and Farmers’ Welfare. The KVK has developed more than 25 commercial jack fruit processing technologies and supported establishment of 17 jackfruit processing entrepreneurs who sell their products in the domestic and international markets. The KVK is providing hand holding to new entrepreneurs in development and production of jackfruit processed products.

In his inaugural address, Chairman KVK praised the efforts being made by the KVK for redefining Jack fruit and observed that the Processing technologies developed by Krishi Vigyan Kendra , Pathanamthitta is providing livelihood options for lots of people and entrepreneurs. He also observed that the release of special cover on Jackfruit products by India Posts will greatly help in spread of the technologies among the rural population. Value addition of jackfruit has greatly enhanced the demand for Jackfruit and the income realized by growers, noted the Director of Postal Services. Dr. Jacob John, Director of Extension, Kerala Agricultural university observed that the ODOP scheme is helping farmers to realize better profits through processing and value addition of their agricultural produce. Rev. MonceyVarghese , Director CARD, Smt. Bindhu M, SPO ,Pathanamthitta and DrRincy K Abraham ,Subject Matter Specialist and Project Coordinator SRC also addressed the gathering. The ceremony was attended by staff of postal department, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pathanamthitta and general public.