Krishik Samaj demands upgradation of Bidar Agriculture Diploma College into degree college

The Karnataka Pradesh Krishik Samaj (KPKS) has urged the State government to take a decision during the ongoing Winter Session of the Legislature on upgrading the existing Diploma Agriculture College in Bidar into a degree agricultural college.

KPKS Bidar district president Siddaramaiah Swamy stated that Bidar district depends largely on agriculture activities. Farmers in the district grow nearly 52 different crops using inter-cropping and mixed-cropping methods. The district receives about 850 mm of rainfall annually and has fertile soil and a climate suitable for agricultural studies.

At present, students from Bidar district have to travel nearly 250 km to institutions under the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Raichur, to pursue degree courses in agriculture. This is a major difficulty for students from poor backgrounds and rural families.

Though Bidar does not have an agricultural degree college, it already has a Krishi Vigyan Kendra and an Agricultural Research Station, which are supporting farmers through research and extension work. With limited industrial opportunities in the district, many youths continue to depend on agriculture for employment, he added.

Mr. Swamy said sufficient land and infrastructure was available for upgrading the college. About 125 acres of government land was available in Ballur and Kaudgaon villages of Aurad taluk, and water availability throughout the year. In addition, 36 acres of land was available at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and around 34 acres land at Agricultural Research Station under UAS Raichur, he said.

He said that a memorandum had been submitted to Minister for Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy earlier, urging him to take up the issue during the ongoing Winter Session and bring it to the notice of the government for an early decision on upgrading the diploma college into a degree-level agricultural college in Bidar.

Mr. Swamy added that the existing Diploma Agriculture College building has basic infrastructure with hostel facilities, which can be upgraded to start degree courses without delay.