Veteran scribe inaugurates agri-writers workshop

MYSORE: Veteran journalist Nagesh Hegade said on Sunday that bio-fuel is the only alternative to petroleum products, which will help the country save more reserves.After inaugurating the two-day workshop organised for agri-writers by the Karnataka State Bio-Fuel Development Board (KSBFDB) at Abdul Nasir Sab Institute of Rural Development here on Sunday, he said that empowering of rural people will also be possible by promoting bio-fuel by encouraging farmers to grow alternative fuel species like Neem, Honge, Jatropa, etc.Explaining the danger India will face due to the exhaustion of petroleum products in the near future, he stressed upon the need of sensitising rural people to grow alternative fuel species and suggest urgent measures to create awareness among them through different forms of media like electronic, photographs, pamphlets and added that Harikatha is also an effective media that can be used for educating farmers over alternative bio-fuel development.KSBFDB managing director A K Monnappa said that Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) has invited the Board to discuss the price of alternative fuel species seeds on November 11. “I will participate in the discussion with farmers’ representatives, Dr Balakrishna Gowda, University of Agriculture said.Explaining the significance of food security and energy security, he said if the growth in population continues this way, petroleum products will be exhausted in two decades. Considering all precautions, the Board has opened 14 alternative fuel units and three more will open soon. The state has set aside Rs 100 crore to encourage NGOs, small and marginal farmers to plant bio-fuel species, he said.