A view of Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. | Photo Credit: File photo The Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (KSNUAHS) will hold the four-day Krishi-Thotagarike Mela 2026 from October 30 on the theme of innovative agriculture for drought management. The mela will be held on the Agriculture College campus at Navile in Shivamogga.Addressing a press conference in Shivamogga on October 26, Vice-Chancellor M.V.

Dhananjaya said the university organises the event every year. This year’s edition will focus on drought management, given the severe drought that has hit farmers in the six districts under the university’s jurisdiction.

A drought pavilion will offer visiting farmers expert guidance on coping with the drought.The V-C said the university had been responding to the problems faced by farmers in the region. In view of the drought, it has already taken up fodder cultivation on about 200 acres at its 14 research centres. “The fodder will be ready for harvest within a month.

It will help provide feed for cattle,” he said.The mela will have over 600 stalls, including those of government departments, ICAR institutions, and exhibitors of agrochemicals, farm implements and machinery, food products, seeds and nursery material, and value-added products. This time, the university has set aside enough space for veterinary stalls, where pets and cattle will also be exhibited.Progressive farmer and Padma Shri awardee Sathyanarayana Beleri from Kasaragod will inaugurate the mela on October 30.

Karnataka’s Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Agriculture Minister P.M.

Narendra Swamy, School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa, and Horticulture Minister S.S. Mallikarjuna are expected to take part in the event.Director of Research S.

Sridhara, Director of Extension Raghavendra K. Mesta, Dean of Student Welfare Narayana S.

Mavarka, and Dean of the College of Agriculture H.K. Veeranna were among those present at the press conference.

Published - October 26, 2026 01:25 pm IST