Agri graduates should educate farmers

BANGALORE:  Inaugurating the ‘Inter Collegiate Youth Festival’ organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK), Bangalore on Wednesday, General Manager of Canara Bank SS Bhat, called upon the agriculture graduates                    to educate the farmers,  who would in turn help in bringing down the inflation in the country.He said, “Food inflation has gone up by 12-13 per cent.The reason for this is that food grain production has decreased and there is lack of proper food distribution. Agriculture graduates should try to bring about a second green revolution and bring about prosperity by educating the farmers.”The farmers and the rural people are also deprived of banking services. He said, “Agriculture students should provide financial literacy to the farmers so that they can make use of the bank loan facilities which are available for the purpose of purchasing seeds, sowing crops and other related needs.”BR Lakshman Rao, renowned Kannada poet, stressed that Agricultural Universities should serve not only as ‘Krishi’ (agriculture) universities, but it should also serve as ‘Khushi’(happy) universities. He added,“All the  work of art displayed during  the fest should be used for speedy development of the country.”Voicing similar opinion , Vice Chancellor of UAS, GKVK Dr K Narayana Gowda said, “The various talents displayed by the students in the form of drama and folklore should be channelised in disseminating information to the farmers.The youth festival forms part of the UAS, GKVK’s annual event. About 154 agricultural students from seven agricultural colleges from across the state which are affiliated to the UAS, GKVK are participating in the three day long festival which will be on till December 23. Speaking to Express, a member of the organising team said, “Our main aim is to bring out the hiddentalents among the students, who are mostly from rural background. The winners here will be representing UAS, GKVK.