Mandya: Highlighting the need for climate-resilient agriculture amid recurring droughts and erratic weather patterns, Mandya zilla panchayat CEO KR Nandini urged farmers to adopt integrated and natural farming practices to ensure sustainable incomes and minimise crop losses.During a visit to the farm of progressive farmer Kempegowda at Channappanadoddi village in Kothathi Hobli of Mandya taluk, Nandini inspected the innovative techniques being practised and commended his decade-long commitment to natural and integrated farming.She said improving soil health should be a top priority and stressed the need for farmers to gradually move away from monocropping towards integrated farming systems that combine multiple crops with allied agricultural activities. Value addition, post-harvest processing and organic cultivation can significantly enhance farm income while improving resilience to climate change, she noted.Referring to the prevailing drought conditions in the district, Nandini advised farmers to cultivate short-duration, low-water-consuming crops and adopt water-efficient irrigation methods such as drip and sprinkler systems. She also encouraged the creation of farm ponds for protective irrigation.Kempegowda, who owns 2.5 acres of farmland, has been practising natural farming successfully for the past 10 years. His farm produces paddy, sugarcane, vegetables, leafy greens and a variety of fruit crops. He markets his produce through his own retail outlet and at the organic farmers’ markets held every Wednesday and Sunday in front of the joint director of horticulture’s office in Mandya city. Praising his entrepreneurial approach, Nandini said Kempegowda’s farm was a model worthy of replication across the district.
