Expert lays stress on diversification of crops

While agreeing with popular belief that agriculture “is risky business”, Director-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) S. Ayyappan said on Thursday that, however, farmers in places such as Kodagu had shown how farming could be profitable.

He was inaugurating the golden jubilee of the Cardamom Research Centre (CRC) at Kodagu, an Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) release here said.

The cardamom centre at Kodagu comes under the purview of the IISR. Dr. Ayyappan said the ICAR would also set up a planters’ home at Madikeri to offer training to farmers in the region.

Diversification

“Agriculture being probably one of the riskiest businesses, for it to be profitable, we have to give importance to diversification of crops and specialty agriculture,” Dr. Ayyappan, who is also the Secretary in the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE), said.

He was all praise for planters for their success in spices cultivation. He said that spice plantations at Kodagu were model farms for farmers from the other States. “They have proved that farming is a profitable venture. The productivity of black pepper in these plantations is far above that of Vietnam,” he said.

He said the decision to upgrade the CRC and set up the planters’ home were New Year gifts for farmers at Kodagu.

N.K. Krishnakumar, Deputy Director-General of Horticulture, who presided, wanted the IISR and the CRC to identify pockets where cultivation of cardamom and black pepper and other profitable spices could be grown on a large scale.

M. Anandaraj, IISR Director, Amrik Singh Sidhu, Director of the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore; George V. Thomas, Director of the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, spoke.

Publications such as Capsule, a souvenir of the golden jubilee celebrations, Sadaram, a comprehensive publication on 50 years in cardamom research, and special issues of Spice India and Indian Journal of Arecanut, Spices and Medicinal Plants published to commemorate the golden jubilee were also released at the function.

Progressive farmers from Kodagu such as S.B. Jayaraj of Murugarajendra Estate, Madapur; B.M. Mahesh Kumar of Hosathota Estate, Sakleshpur; John Thomas Ramapuram of Doona Ann Plantations, Siddapura; C.P. Pramod of Cauvery Estate, Madikeri; Duleep Nanjappa of Pakka Estate, Madikeri, and Prema Ganesh of Prema Estate, Madikeri, were honoured by Karnataka Speaker K.G. Boppiah at the programme.
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Planters’ home to offer training to farmers
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Planters lauded for success in spice cultivation
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source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Kozhikode, December 22nd, 2012

Nabard has prepared Rs 2,378 crore worth potential linked credit plan for Kodagu district for 2013-14.

Zilla Panchayat President B Shivappa and CEO K B Anjanappa released the plan at Lead Bank hall in Madikeri on Wednesday. The plan has been prepared by discussing with the various officials, Coffee Board, Spices Board and others.

Compared to last year, there has been increase of 32 per cent in the potential linked credit plan.

About Rs 2089 crore has been earmarked for agriculture. This includes Rs 962 crore for coffee, paddy—Rs 80 crore, pepper—Rs 31.35 crore, arecanut—Rs 21 crore, coconut—Rs 13.12 crore, cardamom—Rs 16.53 crore, orange—Rs 20.92 crore, banana—Rs 12.37 crore, maize—Rs 6.21 crore, ragi—Rs 45 lakh, ginger—Rs 27.20 crore, tobacco—Rs 27.72 crore, and vegetables—Rs 7.40 crore.

A sum of Rs 1596.22 crore has been identified for crop loan. A sum of Rs 492.89 crore has been earmarked for the term loan for agriculture and related activities. A sum of Rs 2089.11 crore has been earmarked for potential linked credit plan for agriculture.

Nabard prepares an estimate of potential linked credit plan every year. Based on the plan, Lead Bank announces district credit plan in the month of March. All the banks will initiate measures to distribute loans to all priority and non priority sectors as per the plan, said Lead Bank Manager Arunachala Sharma.

He said that from April to September, the target was to disburse loan of Rs 989.80 crore in agriculture sector. A sum of Rs 441.54 crore has been disbursed. About Rs 123.26 crore has been disbursed as short term loan during the period.
In the priority sector, the target was Rs 1637.10 crore and loan amount of Rs 712.96 crore has been disbursed. In the non priority sector, loan of Rs 858.20 crore has been disbursed. RBI Chief Manager G H Rao said that the banks should reach its target. Nabard Assistant Manager Shivaram Krishnan also spoke.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District/ Madikeri> DH News Service / December 13th, 2012

No private land will be acquired in Kodagu, says Ranjan

Eco-friendly and agro based industries should be set up in Kodagu. The state government is committed to ensure that environment is not harmed with the setting up of industries, said chief minister Jagadish Shettar.

Addressing a gathering of the investors at the meet organised by Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, tourism department, Karnataka Small Industries Development Corporation and others here on Tuesday, he said: “We need to conserve environment along with carrying out development activities. We will give emphasis to industries which do not harm environment.”

When Global Investors meet was held in Bangalore in 2012, Rs 3,82,000 crore was invested in Karnataka. In the past, industrialists and entrepreneurs were investing in and around Bangalore alone. Now entrepreneurs are coming forward to invest outside Bangalore, which will help in the integrated development of the state.

The CM said the government is committed to create an atmosphere to attract investment in Kodagu. A sum of Rs 400 crore has been released for the development of roads. The government will take up the work on mini airport at Koodige, railwayline till Kushalnagar, medical college in Madikeri, etc.

District in-charge minister M P Appachu Ranjan said the government land would be given for investors to set up their units in Kodagu. No private land will be acquired. The people of Kodagu need not worry over land acquisition.

“If industries come up in Kodagu, employment will be generated. This will check migration of youth from the district to other places in search of work.”

Ex-MLC A K Subbaiah said the investors meet should not become a meet for merry and joy. The government should take measures to implement all memoranda of understanding with the industrialists.

He said a few organisations are opposing development work in the name of culture. “Agriculture activities have declined in the district. Farmers have started migrating to other places. Culture of the land can be conserved only when agriculture is preserved.”

MLC T John said the roads should be developed. Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah, CMC president H M Nandakumar, FKCCI past president J R Bangera and others were present.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Madikeri, DHNS / December 18th, 2012

The budget to be presented in February will be liked by all’.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has said that the budget which will be presented in the month of February will be liked by all sections of the people.

Speaking after inaugurating various development work in Koodige on Wednesday, he said “as per the wishes of the BJP, we are on the verge of completing our five-year term in the State.

We will present a budget which would be liked by all section of the people. Additional funds will be given for the development of Kodagu district.”

The State government has already released a sum of Rs 400 crore for the development of PWD road in the district. A sum of Rs 300 crore has been released for the development of rural roads. The work on pending roads will be completed by March end.

Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah said that the state government has been carrying out pro-people programmes in the last four and half years. A sum of Rs 150 crore should be announced in the budget for the development of roads in Kodagu district.

District-in-Charge Minister M P Appachu Ranjan said that the work on medical college, Sainik School, PG centre at Chikkaluvara is in various stages.

“We have identified land for mini airport, at Koodige. Chief Minister has already given his approval for the mini airport in the district.”

He said that the passing of amendment to section 94(C) of Karnataka Land Revenue Act would enable the poor people in urban areas to get their houses built on government land regularised. Row over Jamma Bane will be solved.

Zilla Panchayat member S N Rajarao, ZP President B Shivappa, members Chitra Rajesh, B B Bharathish, SP Manjunath Annigeri, Additional DC Dr N Shivashankar, DC Dr N V Prasad and others were present.

The CM distributed title deeds for the SC, nutrition food for poor and financial assistance for those who have passed in SSLC on the occasion.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Madikeri, DHNS / December 19th, 2012

Industrialists to invest Rs. 2,500 cr. in health, education and tourism sectors

Caption: Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar inaugurating the Kodagu Business Summit held at a private function hall in Mdikeri town. Others seen are (from left) former MLC A.K. Subbaiah, FKCCI President K. Shivashanmugam, Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, former MLC T. John, Minister Ranjan Appachu, FKCCI District Co-ordination Committee President Sudhakar S. Shetty and FKCCI member Girish Ganapathy.

Madikeri, Dec. 19
More than 250 industrial entrepreneurs have signed agreements with the State Government to invest approximately Rs. 2,500 crore to set up environment-friendly industrial units in the district.

The MoUs were signed at the Kodagu Business Development Summit held under the aegis of the FKCCI and Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce and Industry here yesterday.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, speaking after inaugurating the Summit, said that his government was committed to ensure allround development of Kodagu district. “The investments in Kodagu will be mainly on eco-friendly ventures. Global Investment meets held at Bangalore in 2010 and 2012 have proved to be successful and enthused by them, our government is now concentrating on developing the districts to maintain economical balance,” said Shettar.

The CM assured that he will lay foundation stones for a medical college and a mini airport in Kodagu shortly. He laid foundation stones to various projects all over Kodagu at a cost of Rs. 200 crore.

Assembly Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, speaking on the occasion, said that agricultural lands will not be given to investors for developing any business in Kodagu.

Reacting to the demand made by Mandya district farmers’ leader G. Madegowda not to hold Business Summit in Kodagu, Bopaiah lambasted him for spreading damaging rumours about the Business Summit.

District In-Charge Minister Appachu Ranjan, addressing the gathering, clarified that only government lands will be given to the investors and not a single acre of agricultural land will be handed over to anyone.

MLC T. John also spoke on the occasion. FKCCI President Shivashanmugham and District Chamber of Commerce President G. Chidvilas spoke about the conditions of the Investment and activities of their organisations.

Stakeholders of the Summit, namely, Department of Industries and Commerce, Tourism Department, Karnataka State Small Scale Industries Development Corporation and others participated.

Signing of agreements will continue today also, according to sources. The Bangalore-based Asia Pacific Investments has offered to make a single investment of Rs. 1,950 cr. for setting up cable car project and generate hydro & wind electricity, near Mallalli waterfalls, located about 25 kms from Somwarpet town. Most of the investments are to be made in health sector, education, eco-resorts, dairy farm, cable car, nature cure centres, etc.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / December 19th, 2012

Bangalore :
‘Vivanta by Taj- Hotels & Resorts’ today announced opening of its first hill station hotel in Coorg, about 247 km from here.

This is the 25th property of the Taj group to be opened under the new brand launched in 2010, it said, adding it’s situated at an altitude of 4,000 ft within 180 acres of sub-tropical rainforest.

Raymond N Bickson, MD & CEO, Indian Hotels Company Ltd, said: “Vivanta by Taj – Madikeri, Coorg is Taj Group’s first hill station hotel.

“The hotel offers unique experiences like earth craft, adventure trails and survival training, a Coorg conservatory and destination cued dining and cultural motifs.”

source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / Home> News> News by Industry> Services / by PTI / December 17th, 2012