Moodbidri: “There is neither literature nor culture without agriculture”, said the Chairman of Alva’s Education Foundation Dr. M Mohan Alva, as he welcomed the gathering at the inaugural of Alva’s Krishi Siri 2017. The agricultural fair is organised in association with Alva’s Nudisiri 2017, and houses a variety of sales and exhibitions in association with agriculture. The inaugural of the fair took place at Mundregutthu Ram Mohan Rai stage at Vidyagiri on 30th of November.

Inaugurating the event, ex Minister Abhaychandra Jain stated “The biggest disadvantage of agriculture is that there is so much effort behind it, but not enough credit. There are hardly any celebrations in an agriculturist’s life. Though there have been ample technological advancements with time, dearth of basic facilities remain.”

“Plantations have been an easy escapade for farmers in the recent past, and so have been a number of other advanacements. It is acceptable that agriculture looks way better today than it used to,” he added.

The Chief Guest of the day, President of Agricultural Fair Price Commission, T N Prakash Kammaradi said “30,000 farmers have committed suicide in the last year, in exchange of providing 250 million tons of food. ‘Trust deficit’ is the prominent issue faced by farmers in India today – lack of trust in the system, and in agriculture itself. It is vital that we create an environment of reliability for the farmers. It is highly saddening that the minimum support price for farm products are not even backed by the law.”

Delivering the Presidential remarks, D Harshendra Kumar from Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala addressed quoting “Change has been the only constant in agriculture. Though there have been significant advancements in the field, we are in dire need of soil fertility test centres in Coastal Karnataka.”

Ex-Minister K Amarnath Shetty, Dean of Fisheries College Dr. Venugopal, Assistant Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandary Department Dr. Anand were present at the occasion. Venugopal Shetty mastered the ceremony while Rajavarma Bailangadi rendered the vote of thanks. A three day agriculture fair including sales and exhibitions of rare agricultural products shall follow at the vicinity.