Mangaluru: With the objective of ensuring that the country’s farmers receive due respect and that agricultural work receives encouragement, Ramakrishna Achar, an agri-entrepreneur from Dakshina Kannada and the head of SKF Elixir group, established Raithapitha Award with a prize amount of Rs 1 lakh. B K Deva Rao of Mittabagilu in Belthangady taluk has been selected for preserving more than 200 rare varieties of paddy. Despite the fact that paddy cultivation is declining in many parts of Dakshina Kannada, Deva Rao, 80, continued to protect and grow over 200 paddy varieties. “Rao not only saved rare varieties that could have been lost to the passage of time for the sake of the next generation, but also served as a role model for others in agriculture,” said Achar. The award will be presented on Feb 20 at Gaudhama Farm in Muniyal, Karkala taluk. The ceremony will be attended by Sri Adrushya Kadasiddheshwar Swami of Siddhagiri Mutt, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, and Sri Nijalingeshwar Swami of Nidasesi Duradundeshwar Siddhasamsthana Mutt, Belagavi. On the occasion, ‘Krishi Mandala’ programme to create agricultural awareness and ‘Ekapavitra Shrimannagamandala’ programme will be held at Gaudhama.
