Attracting youth to farming

BANGALORE:  The government will allot separate funds in the 12th Five Year Plan for the development of youth in the farming sector, Dr K Narayana Gowda, V-C of University of Agricultural Sciences, said. “In China, the percentage of youth moving out of the agriculture sector increased to 90 per cent in 2011-12 compared to 20 per cent in 2001. This is a dangerous scenario and the issue is equally important as the same trend is seen here,” Gowda added.Addressing a press conference, Gowda said, the university is planning to establish one hectare Integrated Farming System Demonstration (IFSD) unit at zonal research stations and Krishi Vignana Kendras under Rastriya Krishi Vikasa Yojane.The university also plans to implement e-learning programmes for all the undergraduate and postgraduate courses, he added.Six New Hybrid  VarietiesAs a result of the research, a total of six new hybrid varieties, Paddy (KRH-4), Ragi (KMR-204), pigeon pea (BRG-10-2), Sesame (GT-1), Vegetable Cowpea(AV-5) and Fodder Oats (OS-6) have been recomended for release.