Udupi: “Farmers are the backbone of our society and efforts will be made to boost confidence in them along with cooperative societies,” said Vinay Kumar Sorake. He was speaking after inaugurating the farmer outreach programme ‘Raithara Mane Bagilige – Sachivara Nadige’ at Perdoor here, on November 15.
Udupi district has played a prominent part in the development of cooperative societies. Cooperative sectors should join hands with the farmers to support efficient and productive farming. Farmers are committing suicide in our country which has ruined our society. The cooperative sector can fill in new confidence in the farmers. Several programmes have been formulated to promote agriculture and to support farmers while it has not reached the needy farmer, said Sorake.
The farmer outreach programme has been launched to reach needy farmers who have the spirit of continuing agriculture. The programme will address key issues of farmers and also provide assistance to them. Farmers can avail interest free agricultural loans upto Rs 3 lakh and 3% interest on loan from Rs 3 lakh to 10 lakh. The government is striving hard to promote animal husbandry in the district. Rs 42.75 crore has been deposited in the bank account of beneficiaries. Rs 77 lakh has been spent for Ksheera Bhagya, a programme implemented to serve milk to children in schools. The farmer outreach programme is an initiative to uplift farmers from all the financial and social clutches, he added.
Prior to inaugurating the Raitha Samparka programme, Minister Sorake inaugurated the 100th Branch of South Canara District Central Co-operative Bank. Dr M N Rajendra Kumar, president of SCDCC Bank Mangaluru, presided over the function. Dr Deviprasad Shetty, president of Belapu Co-operative Society, delivered the introductory remarks. The minister distributed cheques under Pashu Bhagya, National Krishi Vikas Yojana to the beneficiary.
President of Perdoor Grama Panchayat Shambhavi, ZP Member Gopi K Naik, TP Members Pakkalu Rama Kulal and Nagaveni Putran, Presedent of Udupi Distirct Co-operative Union Kishan Hegde Kolkebail, Hiriyakda Raitha Seva Shakari Sangha, Shantharam Sooda Perdur Milk producers Union president, Praveen Nayak and others were present.