Amma Hegiddhiri? Urinalli yellaru Kshemavagiddhara: PM to state farmer

Bengaluru: "Amma Hegiddhiri? Urinalli yellaru Kshemavagiddhara?" (Amma, how are you? Are all well in your village?). These were the opening remarks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his nation-wide interaction with farmers, through video-conferencing, on Wednesday.

The state agriculture department had made arrangements at the GKVK Campus in Ramanagar and invited 30-40 farmers, including women. When Kamalamma, a woman farmer from Mayaganahalli in Ramanagar taluk, greeted the Prime Minister with 'Namaskara', Mr Modi replied to her with a few lines in Kannada. She and other farmers present at the auditorium were excited to hear Mr Modi speak in flawless Kannada.

Ms Kamalamma told the PM that she owns 10 acres of land at Mayaganahalli village and was using chemical fertilisers all these years. This had affected the health of the soil. When she went to a soil-testing centre, scientists told her about high levels of chemicals in the soil and advised her to switch over to organic manure. The centre also issued a soil health card that contained treatment for the degraded soil.

Once she started using organic manure, not only the health of soil, but the yield too improved. She has also started vermiculture in her 10-acre land and vowed to continue to increase her income from agriculture.

A senior GKVK officer translated the conversation. The PM then gave a big smile and said, , “Aur kuch, Kamalamma ji”, much to the delight of farmers present.

Mr Modi appreciated the officials for neatly arranging a variety of fruits and vegetables on the table and thanked farmers for their feedback. The PM also spoke to two to three other farmers.