Agri minister asks farmers to follow Kolar Model
Minister B C Patil at the agriculture exhibition in Karkala.
Karkala, Jan 19, 2021: While we commonly hear about the ‘Israel Model,’ Karnataka Agriculture Minister B C Patil has suggested farmers to follow ‘Kolar Model.’
Appreciating the integrated farming model followed by the farmers at Kolar, B C Patil asked farmers to follow it.
“We had a discussion of experts when one Narasimhappa pointed out that the shortage of water does not push farmers to suicide. Mandya which has sufficient water also witnessed a high number of farmers’ suicide. But it is less in Kolar which has water scarcity. Mandya grows two crops while farmers in Kolar follow integrated farming model by growing multiple crops,” the Minister said.
He gave an example of one Ashwathamma who owns 6-acre land in Mulbagil.
“During my recent visit, I had been to Mulbagil. Ashwathamma is a progressive farmer growing various types of crops including sugarcane and fruits. The crops are marketed outside the house. Fresh sugarcane juice and fruit salad are prepared from the fruits grown on the farm,” he narrated.
“People speak about the Israel model. But let us first follow the Kolar system. I have told the farmers in my district to visit Kolar to learn the integrated farming model followed there,” he said.
