Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D.K. Shivakumar, struck a personal and nostalgic chord during the Farmers' Day celebrations at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK) in Bengaluru on Saturday. Visiting the Raitha Santhe, he proposed a novel initiative to bridge the urban-rural divide and recounted the early agricultural experiences that shaped his life and political career.
From a School Debate to a Political Vision
Shivakumar took the audience back to his school days, narrating an incident that he credits as the starting point of his political journey. While in the sixth grade at Carmel School, he participated in a debate on whether a farmer or a soldier (jawan) is more important for the nation. "I argued passionately in favour of farmers and secured first place. That shaped my entry into politics, and today I have reached this stage," he shared, highlighting the foundational role of agriculture in his worldview.
He consistently described himself as a farmer's son, emphasizing that his family remains deeply connected to the land. "Even though I personally do not cultivate land, I own hundreds of acres as property," Shivakumar stated. He detailed his family's diverse agricultural engagements, which include mulberry cultivation, a silk thread factory in their taluk, and the cultivation of betel leaves and pepper. His brother serves as the president of the Bengaluru Milk Producers' Association.
A Structured Plan for Urban Student Sensitization
The Deputy Chief Minister revealed that a conversation with technocrat Sam Pitroda last year in the US inspired a key proposal. Pitroda had suggested organising two-to-three-day rural exposure tours for Bengaluru students. Shivakumar has now decided to take this idea forward in a formal manner. He announced plans to develop a structured curriculum aimed at sensitising students from the city to rural life, livelihoods, and the challenges faced by the farming community.
"I encourage my son to take up agriculture, while my daughter has married into a coffee-planters' family. We have remained a farmers' family and understand the hard work of farmers who do not receive a salary, pension, promotion, or bribes," he said, underscoring the personal conviction behind the policy suggestion.
Government Support and Agricultural Pride of Karnataka
Shivakumar also outlined the state government's support for the agricultural sector, noting that Karnataka has one of the highest proportions of arid regions in the country after Rajasthan. To support farmers, the government provides free electricity to irrigation pump sets, spending a substantial Rs 20,000 crore annually on the scheme.
He expressed pride in the productivity of farmers in the Bengaluru region, who cultivate vegetables, fruits, flowers, milk, and silk. "Whenever the CEOs of the international airport meet me, they share that about 50 cargo aircraft carrying flowers, fruits, and vegetables are exported from Bengaluru. This is a matter of pride for me," he stated.
Addressing the issue of market access, Shivakumar pointed out the price disparity faced by farmers. He cited the example of mushroom packets sold for Rs 50 at the santhe, while the same product retails for Rs 250 in city malls. "By the time the produce reaches the market, the price increases fivefold. To prevent this, UAS and our govt have organised this fair," he explained, highlighting the importance of direct farmer-consumer markets like Raitha Santhe.
Hands-On Experience at the Raitha Santhe
During his walk through the stalls, the Deputy CM showed keen interest in various local produce. He admired and purchased items like oyster, milky, and button mushrooms, bael fruit (wood apple), traditional ghee, snacks made from hyacinth beans, jaggery, and guavas. Upon being offered bael fruit juice, he remarked, "Bael fruit is my favourite. Please send bael fruits to our house as well; everyone at home will enjoy it." He also collected the contact details of a farmer supplying ghee made from desi cows, demonstrating a hands-on approach to connecting with the primary producers.
