Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda presented two separate state agriculture budgets (2012-13) in Karnataka assembly Wednesday in which he has focused mainly on providing reliefs and benefits to farmer's community. He had exempted short term corp loan up to Rs I lakh from interest.
As 75 percent of farmers are marginal and moderate, high cost of equipments and scarcity of labour add more to the farmers woes in carrying out a time to time agricultural operations. Taking note of it, CM Gowda said that Agriculture Department has proposed to establish hire-service centres from where farmers can rent tractors, including other high-tech implements for an affordable price.
Meanwhile, CM Gowda announced that the Agricultural Department have plans to induct Israeli technology, to raise high technology expert centres for mango development in Kolar districts, pomegranate in Bagalkot and vegetable crop development in Belgaum.
Furthermore, CM Gowda has announced the plans that are in piplines to develop technology parks in Gulbarga district, maize technology park in Ranebennur, coconut technology park including coconut products research and development unit in Tumkur district's Tiptur taluka to facilitate the agricultural sector in the state.
Commenting on the proposed agricultural budget CM Gowda said, "This Agriculture Budget contains thinking on new dimensions for integrated development of farmers and other families engaged in agriculture and allied activities in our state."
