Mysuru: Farmers' Dasara Turns Into Platform to Inspire Community Towards Independent Livelihood and Women Empowerment

The Farmers' Dasara, held as part of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations at J K Grounds on Friday, October 16, 2026, turned into a platform to motivate farmers towards independent livelihood and women's empowerment. The event brought together progressive cultivators, government departments and the public, offering a mix of recognition, learning and exhibition at a time when many parts of Karnataka are struggling with drought.

Honouring Progressive Farmers

A key feature of the programme was the felicitation of progressive farmers whose stories are meant to inspire others. This year, 15 farmers were honoured, including 10 women, a figure that highlighted the growing role of women in agriculture. The event also featured awards for innovation and for farmers who have adopted integrated approaches to cultivation. Organisers said the aim was to show ordinary farmers that success is possible through hard work, learning and new methods.

Scientific Sessions and Expo

Officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services packed the programme with scientific sessions and an exhibition. At the expo, they created awareness among farmers about advanced farming techniques, modern machinery such as harvesters, remedies for crop and livestock diseases, and the various government programmes and facilities available to them. Stalls were set up to help farmers understand how to access schemes and subsidies, which is often a major difficulty at the village level.

Innovation on Display

Among the exhibitors, A M Thyagaraju from Appegowdanahalli in Chikkaballapur district drew attention with a display of potatoes weighing between 250 grams and 6 kilograms that were grown on creepers, along with nine varieties of corn. He said such methods can inspire farmers to experiment and diversify. He also spoke about the impact of drought, saying that at least 60 percent of ragi crops had been affected and that even hay for cattle had become scarce.

Beating Drought Through Integrated Farming

With 226 taluks declared drought-hit, the stories of award-winning farmers carried particular meaning. Two of them, 33-year-old P Abhilash Puttegowda and 45-year-old R Pushpalatha Puttaswamy, who farm on one acre of land at Hosakote in T Narsipura taluk, told visitors that integrated farming has protected their livelihood. By combining crops with animal husbandry, sericulture, horticulture and dairy, they said, farmers can build multiple sources of income so that a failure in one does not ruin the household.

Women's Empowerment and Self-Reliance

The event placed strong emphasis on women farmers and on independence in livelihood. Women who have built successful farm-based enterprises shared their experiences, showing how training, self-help groups and access to markets can transform a family's income. Organisers said the theme was to encourage the community to look beyond dependence on a single crop or on government support and to create sustainable sources of income.

Drought and Protests in the Background

The celebrations took place against a backdrop of concern in rural Karnataka. Farmers in some places have protested against grand celebrations of the Dasara festival amid drought and have urged the state government to waive farm loans. The contrast between the festive showcase of success stories and the hardship faced by many farmers was noted by observers, who said that recognition of achievers should go hand in hand with relief for those in distress.

Even so, the Farmers' Dasara offered a hopeful message, showing that innovation, cooperation and determination can help agricultural communities cope with uncertainty.

This report is based on published news coverage of the event.