As part of the Rotary Intercity Synergy Exchange initiative of RID 3191, Rotary Bengaluru Malhar organised the Rotary Raithara Sammelana, an agriculture conference that brought together nearly 600 farmers from across Karnataka, connecting them with agricultural scientists, entrepreneurs and startups.
wife Rekha.
The event, inaugurated by the then DG B R Sridhar, focused on empowering farmers through knowledge sharing, sustainable practices, emerging technologies, and rural entrepreneurship opportunities. A live demonstration showcased how drones can be used for crop monitoring, precision spraying, nutrient management and efficient farming. A wide range of topics relevant to modern agriculture, including natural farming, microgreens, mushroom farming, beekeeping, soil health management, agricultural entrepreneurship, and AI in agriculture were covered.
A major highlight was its focus on field-oriented learning and technology adoption. Farmers were introduced to emerging technologies that can improve productivity, reduce costs, and make farming more sustainable, said club president V J Sajeev.
Speakers also focused on the need to reduce excessive dependence on chemical fertilisers and external farm inputs while promoting soil health, biodiversity, water conservation, and environmentally responsible farming methods. The discussions addressed the impact of global economic and geopolitical developments on agriculture. Participants learned how disruptions in international supply chains, fluctuations in fertiliser availability, and rising input costs can directly affect farming communities. Experts dwelt on local ecosystems and promoting sustainable farming.
Raitha Sangha, UAS Alumni Association, and the RCs Bengaluru Upkar, Bengaluru HSR, Attibele Sarjapura, Ramanagaram, Bengaluru J P Nagar, Bengaluru Palmville and Bengaluru Spandana supported the event which was part funded by the district grant.