Raita Siri 2025
Empowering Farmers, Bridging Knowledge
Chanakya University, through its Centre for Sustainability, proudly hosted Raita Siri 2025—a vibrant confluence of academic research and grassroots agricultural wisdom. The event welcomed over 50 farmers from Gubbi (Tumkur district) alongside local farmers from the Devanahalli region, creating a collaborative space for dialogue, innovation, and empowerment in sustainable agriculture.
Inaugural Highlights
The program opened with a warm welcome by the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, who reaffirmed the University’s commitment to rural outreach and sustainable development.
Dr. Chetan Singai, Convener of the Centre for Sustainability, emphasized the Centre’s role as a knowledge bridge—translating cutting-edge research into practice for the benefit of farming communities.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Sri Shashi Kumar, CEO and Founder of Akshayakalpa Organics, who inspired the audience with insights on sustainable dairy farming, the role of chemical-free fodder, and the importance of youth engagement through hands-on internships.
Dr. Harishkumar highlighted government schemes and farmer subsidies, advocating for broader awareness and ease of access.
A key moment was the inauguration of the Weather Monitoring System by Dr. P. G. Diwakar (ISRO Chair Professor, NIAS), who spoke about leveraging real-time climate data to support climate-resilient agriculture.
- S. Prakash, Former Director of KNDMC, contextualized the importance of weather-based decision-making in improving crop productivity.
The session concluded with remarks from Prof. H. S. Subramanya, Hon’ble Pro Vice-Chancellor, who emphasized the value of farmer-academic partnerships in shaping sustainable futures.
Technical Sessions
Session 1: Organic Farming & Soil Health
- Maheshanna, an organic farmer from Gubbi, shared practices for maintaining soil fertility through sustainable farming.
- Dr. Chikkaramappa (GKVK) presented practical soil health improvement strategies for enhanced productivity.
Session 2: Value-Added Agri Products
- Dr. Dhananjay (IIHR) showcased innovations from the BESST-HORT Incubation Centre, including fruit bars, mango pulp, and healthy snack prototypes.
- A startup booth displayed value-added agri-products, sparking entrepreneurial ideas among farmers.
Session 3: Open House & Farmer Interaction
- Diwakar Channappa, a former ISRO scientist and now natural farmer, inspired attendees with his journey of blending scientific tools with traditional wisdom.
- The session concluded with a collective discussion, a prayer, and the blessing of Chanakya soil—symbolizing unity and reverence for the land.
Looking Ahead
Raita Siri is envisioned as a recurring platform for knowledge dissemination, grounded in the lived experiences of farmers and backed by data-driven insights like those from the new Weather Monitoring System. The event strengthens Chanakya University’s mission to nurture innovation, sustainability, and rural empowerment.
