Date:03/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/03/stories/2009010351760300.htm

Karnataka

300 acres acquired for horticulture university

Pradeepkumar Kadkol

The institution is estimated to cost Rs. 242 crore

Bagalkot: As this region is well known for its horticultural crops, there is wide scope for research work in the domain of horticultural crop cultivation. With this aim in mind, the State Government has decided to establish a horticulture university in the district to promote education and farm-related activities.

The State Government issued a notification in this regard on November 22, 2008, and instructed the district administration to acquire 300 acres of land at Navanagar, near the Hubli-Bagalkot Road. A sum of Rs. 8 crore had been released for beginning the work.

Sources in the district administration told The Hindu that after initial problems, the administration had acquired 300 acres of land, and that there was a possibility of more land being acquired depending on requirements. For establishing a full-fledged horticulture university, the district required Rs. 242 crore. The time-frame estimated for completion of project was five years. The Government had already allocated Rs. 10 crore for the project in the last State Budget and the remaining amount would be released in the next few years, they added.

The Government had deputed 11 staff from the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, to the district, to work in the Horticulture Department until the university started functioning. Of the eleven officers, two had already taken over charge.

A proposal had been sent to the Government requesting purchase of two vehicles for travelling and survey work, the sources said.

“The university should help boost the growth of horticultural crops in the region, especially in Bijapur and Bagalkot districts. It also aims at providing farmers the latest in technology. It will also provide farmers an opportunity to export their produce,” they added.

As a preliminary step, the Government has started a horticulture college at Haveli Farm in the district to encourage the study of horticulture.

As many as 29 students have signed up for the diploma course at the institution.

The college will focus on practical aspects of horticulture and will help students take up initiatives to promote farming activities and overall agricultural development of the region.