Udupi : MLA of Udupi Raghupathi Bhat, inaugurated the Raita Samavesha 2012, organized by the Krishika Sangha of Udupi at the Sharada Kalyana Mantap on Feb 4, Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that it is necessary to encourage farming activities in the district. Karnataka is the first state to give loans at 1 percent interest for agricultural purposes.

Dr. Varanashi Krishnamoorthy of Vananashi Krishi Prathishtana Adyanaka delivered the keynote address on the occasion.

The demands such as  more funds for agriculture in next budget, relaxed norms in the provision of loans at 1 percent in nationalized cooperative societies, agriculture insurance and natural calamity funds, Brahmavar Sugar Factory revival, subsidies for agricultural products and equipment, agriculture-based industries, an agricultural college in Brahmavara, easily available of high quality fertilizers and seeds, old age pension for farmers, and others were placed before the government.

An agriculture expo was organized on the occasion.

Shrinivas Bhat Kudpi, the secretary of the Krishika Sangha, B. Y. Shrinivas, the joint director of agriculture,  APMC president Suresh Nayak; Ramakrishna Sharma Bantkal, the president of the Krishika Sangha; Ravindra Poojary; M. Bhaskar Shetty; and others were present.