Mandya: Days after the state govt declared Pandavapura taluk in Mandya district as an organic taluk in the state budget to promote sustainable agriculture, improve soil health, and increase farmers’ income through toxin-free food production, a high-level meeting was convened in Pandavapura on Monday under the leadership of deputy commissioner Kumara, in the presence of Melukote MLA Darshan Puttanaiah.Farmer leaders and local cultivators attended the meeting. The discussions focused on the urgent need to reduce dependency on chemical fertilisers, which officials noted have adversely affected soil fertility and food quality over the years.Officials stated that Pandavapura has become only the second taluk in Karnataka to receive the organic taluk tag, making it a model region for organic farming transformation in the state. The initiative is expected to strengthen ecological balance while reducing long-term expenditure on fertiliser subsidies.To mobilise public participation, the MLA has initiated direct outreach programmes involving nearly 5,000 farmers through group calls and village-level consultations. Melukote hobli has been identified as the pilot area for the first phase of implementation.During the meeting, officials instructed revenue authorities to reserve suitable govt lands in villages, including Rangenehalli and M Shettahalli for public purposes, excluding protected forest areas. Authorities also finalised standardised rental rates for harvesting machinery to support farmers during cultivation and harvesting seasons. The approved hourly rental rates include Rs 2,500 for chain-track paddy harvesters, Rs 2,000 for grip-tyre paddy harvesters, Rs 1,800 for normal-tyre paddy harvesters and Rs 2,900 for ragi harvesters.Following the meeting, the MLA and DC visited villages facing drinking water shortages to review relief measures and assess local conditions.
