Mangalore : Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Programme (SKDRDP) organized two day national conference on ‘Sustaining small holder agriculture – Issues and challenges,’ at Mahotsava Bhavan in Dharmasthala on September 24, Wednesday.

Delivering the presidential address, Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade said that the merging of agriculture related departments and introduction of single window system is not required to modernize agriculture sector for the benefit of small farmers.

He also said that the integrated farmers willing to cultivate crop like areca, cocoa, cashew, rubber etc has to undergo a lengthy procedure for growing different varieties of crops. Hence, department must simplify its procedure.

The small and marginal farmers or unorganized farmers required to connect to the Banks. Instead of accepting whatever given by the Government, the farmers must change their mindset and demand what they want.

Heggade said that Prime Minister had assured to provide toilets to every household and make the country free from open defecation. But let the government provide drinking water facility first and then think about toilet.

Speaking after inaugurating the conference, RBI Regional Director Umashankar said that there is necessary to create financial literacy more than financial inclusion. Hence RBI has opened 10 financial resource centres in the state.

Mamatha Rao, HRD Director of SKDRDP briefed on the functioning of Pragathi Bandhu groups which focuses on farm planning, labour sharing, study tours, farmers learning school.