Minister N. Cheluvaraswamy and others released the Krishi Mela poster in Mandya on Tuesday | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy on Tuesday said that the work on the infrastructure development of Mandya Agricultural University will begin in due course and the Cabinet has already released ₹23 crore for the purpose against the ₹100 crore earmarked by the government.
Talking to reporters in Mandya, the minister said that such immediate financial support for setting up a university is rare. “In the very first year of the university, around ₹ 100 crore was earmarked for infrastructure development, of which the government sanctioned ₹ 23 crore,” Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said.
He pointed out that though the approval for the Shivamogga Agricultural University was given in 2008, the token deposit was released only in 2013, while all the formalities for the Mandya Agricultural University were completed within a year.
He said the university received UGC recognition within six months of its establishment and the credit should go to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. “The Congress government’s major contribution to Mandya is the agricultural university in the district,” he said.
Releasing the posters for the Krishi Mela to be held in the district in December, the minister said that these fairs provide benefits to farmers and enable them to learn about new technologies.
Besides, farmers can learn about new varieties of crops apart from various schemes launched by the government, the minister added.
The Krishi Mela will be held at the VC Farm of Mandya Agricultural University and more than 350 stalls will be set up showcasing developments in the agriculture sector.
The event is spread over 60 acres of land and arrangements have been made for live demonstrations of various farm-related technologies.
The minister introduced about 400 to 500 live samples and the introduction of crop varieties will be the hallmark of the Krishi Mela.
Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said that in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, efforts were being made to develop rice varieties with high disease resistance, including a variety suitable for diabetics.
“Earlier, the development of one crop variety would take more than ten years, but today the gestation period is barely two years, and this is possible thanks to the development of agricultural science and research in agricultural universities,” the minister said.
CD Gangadhar, Chairman, MySugar Factory, Harini Kumar, Special Officer, Agricultural University and others were present.
Published – 25 Nov 2025 20:45 IST
