Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly emphasizes empowerment of women farmers; will inaugurate Krishi Mela-2026 at UAS-Dharwad

Hordes of people attending the Krishi Mela at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Dharwad on Saturday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker GS Patil said empowerment of women farmers is essential for the country’s progress and called for greater recognition of their contribution to agriculture.

“If you invest in a farmer, the whole village prospers. But if you invest in a woman farmer, the whole country prospers,” he said while inaugurating the annual Krishi Mela-2026 at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad on Saturday (September 26).

Mr. Patil said that women play a significant role in agricultural activities and deserve better opportunities, status and recognition for their work. He also emphasized the need to ensure profitable prices for agricultural products.

He described Krishi Mela as one of Karnataka’s premier agricultural exhibitions and appreciated the university’s efforts to acquaint farmers with improved seed varieties, modern farm machinery, innovative technologies and latest agricultural research.

Technology-driven and profit-oriented farming practices have strengthened the agricultural sector, he said, urging farmers to adopt scientific methods to improve productivity and profitability.

Farm prices

The University conferred Best Farmer and Best Woman Farmer awards for 2025-26 to progressive farmers from Belagavi, Haveri, Gadag, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Uttara Kannada and Dharwad districts. Best Young Farmer Awards were also presented to farmers from seven districts under the jurisdiction of the university.

Several new crop varieties were also released during the inauguration ceremony.

Prime Minister’s visit cancelled

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was originally scheduled to inaugurate the four-day Krishi Mela on Saturday afternoon. As the polling code of conduct came into effect with the announcement of the Karnataka West Graduates’ Constituency elections, the chief minister and cabinet colleagues did not attend the event. Mr. Patil started the event in their absence.

Among those present were SV Suresh, UAS Vice-Chancellor, Bengaluru, Ashok Dalwai, Karnataka Agricultural Price Commission Chairman, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader Virendra Patil and UAS-Dharwad Vice-Chancellor NB Prakash.

Huge crowd

The annual Krishi Mela attracted thousands of people on Saturday. A large number of farmers as well as the general public visited the various stalls, purchased seeds, farm equipment, reserved farm machinery and also met the farm scientists. The fruit and flower show and the livestock exhibition also attracted people.

Published – 26 Sep 2026 19:24 IST