Cereal consumption contributes to good health

Madikeri, Mar. 15: In the rush of modernity, a healthy diet is being forgotten, and scientists and dignitaries expressed their opinion that the consumption of cereals is helpful in achieving good health.

As part of the Atma Yojana, Conservation of Indigenous Varieties and International Trade Fair-2026, the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, and the Agriculture Department organized a Cereal Festival, a workshop on the conservation of indigenous varieties, a Kisan Mela, and an exhibition program at the city's Gandhi Maidan.

Municipal Council President P. Kalavati inaugurated the program by lighting the lamp and said that the organized program is meaningful. Cereal grains should be used more. It is beneficial for a healthy life. He said that preparing and using dishes like dosa, roti, and uppittu from cereals will strengthen health.

Joint Director of the Agriculture Department Dr. Chandrashekhar said that Cereal grains are helpful for good health. It contains useful minerals and nutrients. It also helps in controlling diabetes and prevents fatal diseases. There is scope for growing cereals in some parts of the district. He informed that necessary training will be provided for this, along with training in marketing and value addition.

President of the Farmers' Association S.P. Ponnappa spoke and said that cereals are helpful for good health. He said that the government should encourage rice farming by providing subsidies.

Deputy Director of Agriculture Somashekar spoke in the introduction.

Honorary Program

T.J. Sheshappa and Napanda Sumitra Ganapathy, who were awarded the State Emerging Agricultural Pandita Award, were honored and honored in the program.

If you cultivate with interest, you can achieve success. Sheshappa, who accepted the award, said that more income can be earned from agriculture than from employed people. Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Department Lingaraju Doddamani, 

 Head of Spice Crops Research Institute Dr. Rajanna, Deputy Director of Horticulture Department Sridhar were present. Soumya Shetty prayed, Deputy Director of Agriculture Somashekar welcomed, and Paramesh expressed his vote of thanks.

Exhibition - stall that attracted attention

Useful information related to agriculture was provided to farmers at the stalls of the Agriculture Department, Horticulture Department, Animal Husbandry Department, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and Fisheries Department.

A native of Garhwal, Poonachcha, exhibited the Adi Black Pepper variety. Progressive farmer Ravi Shankar of Hudur village in Ponnampet displayed rare varieties of rice seeds, tree coffee, wild figs, and Aftab of Kushalnagar displayed an 18-inch long green pepper plant from China that has been included in the Guinness Book of World Records. Along with this, food products and agricultural equipment from various organizations attracted attention. A picture made of cereals including coffee, cardamom, and black pepper in front of the hall attracted the attention of the audience.

Technical Session

Dr. G.A. Rajanna, scientist at the Spice Crops Research Institute in Appangala, spoke and said that there are 12 spice crops including cardamom, turmeric, black pepper, and ginger. Suitable varieties for areas with low rainfall have been developed through the institute. The country is earning Rs. 30 thousand crores from spice crops. The crops should be given the necessary nutrients. They should show interest in exports. They called for the use of technology.

Speaking about indigenous rice varieties, Ravi Shankar, a progressive farmer from Hudur village in Ponnampet, said that farmers have come to the mindset that rice farming is not profitable. Wildlife threats and lack of labor are the reasons for this. Indigenous varieties should be protected. I am growing more than 250 varieties of jackfruit and more than 300 varieties of fruit. There are fragrant rice varieties. Good varieties should be given to the next generation. We should be careful not to destroy agriculture. If a minimum support price of Rs. 5,000 per quintal is given for the rice crop, the rice fields will not fall into disrepair, he said. India is self-sufficient in agriculture. He warned that we should not get into trouble again.

Speaking about bee farming, retired director of the Horticulture Department, Vasant, said that the people of Kodagu have embraced bee farming. No matter what work is done, they should have at least some knowledge about it. Otherwise, there will be no success. Kodagu was the district that produced the most honey for the state. When Kodagu was a state, there was a separate budget for bee farming. There were plenty of bee colonies. Due to the disease, 95% of the bee colonies were destroyed. Gradually, beekeeping came to a state of being forgotten. Beekeeping is being encouraged to increase the incidence of foreign pollen. Adulterated honey is being sold in the market, which should be avoided.

Professor Baganna of the Agricultural Research Center spoke and gave information about the benefits of using cereals.

Sumathi, a staff member of the Child Protection Unit, said that drugs deteriorate mental and physical health. The health of the society deteriorates. Drugs provide temporary happiness. They will pose a danger to the future. Drugs like alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes should not be used. Parents should also pay attention to this. Children should be careful not to go astray. The law is effective in preventing sexual abuse of children, and in case of problems, they called for contacting the helpline.

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