Kumta:D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala has said that a state level Krishi Mela has been organised in the town with an intention of making farmers self-reliant and to encourage people to take up farming.

He was speaking to reporters after reviewing the arrangements being made for the state level Krishi Mela to be organised at the Agricultural Research Centre premises here from February 21. Dr Heggade said the Dharmasthala Rural Development Project has been extending all possible assistance to the farming community and added the Krishi Mela will also help in reaching out the benefits of government programmes to the farmers.

He said ever since the Dharmasthala Rural Development Project has been extended to Uttara Kannada district, it has over 70,000 members. He said the Krishi Mela will have an interactive session wherein farmers can get their doubts clarified from  experts.

Dinaker Shetty, MLA and Working President of Krishi Mela Reception Committee, K Boodappa Gowda, Director, Keshava Devanga, Project Officer and others were present.