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The Process
The entire process has five components:
The Farmers Jury will give the verdict after giving adequate hearing from specialist witness.
Steering Committee:
The idea of Farmers Jury was discussed in two separate meetings held in Dharwad (on June 6, 2009) and in Bangalore (July 16, 2009). Women farmers, Leaders from Farmers Organisations, Representatives of Consumer Organisation, Scientists, academicians’ media representatives and Civil Society Organisations actively participated in the meeting. They endorsed the idea of Raita Teerpu in Karnataka.
From this larger group, a steering Committee was formed to take decisions on Farmers Jury. The steering committee has following responsibilities.
  • To oversee the process of Farmers Jury.
  • Selection and finalization of farmers for the Jury.
  • Setting up criteria to select Farmers.
  • Identifying and finalizing specialist witness.
  • Finalizing Stakeholders for the Farmers Jury.
  • To deliberate and finalize the process towards successful process of Farmers Jury.
  • To provide necessary inputs, suggestions and recommendations to strengthen the process.
The members of Steering committee are :

1. Anandateertha Pyati, Senior Reporter, Prajavani
2. Chanabasappa Shivappa Kombali, President, Natural Resources Development Association
3. Dr. N. Devakumar, Prof of Agronomy, AICRP
4. Dr. L.G. Hiregoudar, Head
5. Dr. Prakash Bhat
6. Gopi Krishna
7. Subbanna S. Biradar, Director, Bayalu Seeme Rural Development Society (BSRDS)
8. Vishvanath Patil Kouthabi, President, K.R. Raita Sangha
9. Santhosh Koulagi
10.
Smt. Sundanada Jayaram, KRRS, Bangalore
11. Sri. Basavaraj Santeshiver
12.
Sri. Kuruburu Shantha Kumar, Convenor, Federation of Farmers' Association of Karnataka
13. Sri. Y.G. Muralidhar, CREAT, Bangalore
14. Dr. Channesh
15. Sri P Babu, ICRA, Bangalore
16. P.V. Satheesh, Director, Deccan Development Society
17. Anitha Pailoor
18. Pandunrang Hegde, Appiko, Sirsi



1. Anandateertha Pyati
, Senior Reporter, Prajavani
No. 1-39/20, Opposite District Court Complex, Gulbarga – 585 102
Cell: 9448240676, Email: anpyatee@gmail.com
With over ten years of journalism experience, Mr Pyati is currently the Senior Reporter with Karnataka’s oldest and leading daily Prajavani. He has traveled intensely in the state to write articles on farming and rural life. Collection of these articles in published in the book titled ‘Shatashrungada Salinalli’. He has co-authored (with G. Krishna Prasad ) a book on ten steps towards organic farming.



2. Chanabasappa Shivappa Kombali, President, Natural Resources Development Association
Kakol, Ranebennur Taluk, Haveri District
Cell : 9845890411
Winner of the State Award as Krushi Pandit [Farming Expert], Chanabasappa Shivappa Kombli is currently the District Coordinator of the Karnataka Government’s Organic Mission. He gave a new dimension to water conservation, when he started recharging open wells. In his village. He mobilized his villagers and brought water sovereignty to his village Kakol by repeated voluntary works (shramadan) towards desilting, afforestation and rain water harvesting. Now he spends a lot of his time in creating awareness on water harvesting across Karnataka through various activities. Founder President of Natural Resources Development Society, he set up this organisation to extend the activities related to environmental education among children, rainwater harvesting and afforestation and spread water awareness in his and the neighbouring villages.




3. Dr. N. Devakumar, Prof of Agronomy, AICRP on Underutilised Crops, MRS
Hebbal, Bangalore - 560 024,
Cell : 9480037870, Email : ndevakumar@yahoo.com
Is one of the pro farmer scientists in the field of Agricultural Research. Earlier he was in charge of Organic Farming Institute at Shimoga. He was instrumental in growing 80 traditional paddy varieties on the research farm and distribution of these varieties among farmers free of cost. He also initiated research into the organic farming practices and its results. He is a very innovative researcher, with concern for organic farming and traditional varieties. Now he is working on millets and underutilized crops in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore.


4. Dr. L.G. Hiregoudar, Head, K.H. Patil KVK,
Hulkoti, Gadag – 582 205
Ph: 9448358772, Email: khpatil_kvk_hulkoti@yahoo.com, laxs@gmail.com
Hiregowdru speakingWith a Masters degree in agriculture from the Univesity of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad Dr Hiregoudar did his doctoral studies at Indian Agricultural Research Institute. Dr. Hiregoudar is admired for his simplicity, perfection and more importantly his pro-farmer approach. He joined K.H. Patil KVK as scientist in 1985. At present as the head of the institution he is leading many of its pro-farmer activities. He has successfully initiated activities related to organic farming, soil and water conservation, Alternate Land Use Systems, transfer of technology for livelihood improvement and Micro-Finance. The KVK has facilitated direct marketing from farmers to consumers by organizing farmer bazaars once a week in Hulkoti and Gadag. Vivekapatha, a programme for Overall Rural Development is an innovative Project by KVK Hulkoti.


5. Dr. Prakash Bhat, Bayalu’
19, Hoysala Nagar, Haliyal Road, Dharwad
Ph: 0836 –2776747, 9008452447, Email:bhatps@gmail.com
Prakash BhatJoined Baif Institute of Rural Development after completing graduation in Veterinary Sciences. A person who has a great passion for rural development, Dr. Bhat shouldered different responsibilities of the organisation effectively for more than 25 years. He stresses on community mobilization in his activities. He has successfully coordinated various rural development initiatives of BAIF, particularly those related to sustainable agriculture and livelihood. He has been exploring ways to bring about sustainability in rural life through self-reliance and self-esteem. To work on this theme, he has taken off from BAIF for two years. Dr. Bhat is a resource person for soil and water conservation awareness programs and activities. Dr. Bhat has passion for Yakshagana, a form of Karnataka’s folklore. He has performed and also taught this folk form.


6. Gopi Krishna
225, Tilakwadi, LV Desai Compound, Near 2nd Railway Gate, Belgaum – 590 006
Cell: 9448132609, Tel: 0831-2421609, Email: gopi.krishna50@yahoo.com     
website : www.mitan.in
Trained in community deveopment from the premier Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Gopi Krishna worked with NGO INGRID in Raichur district for several years. Later he had an illustrious career working as an Projects Officer in OXFAM, and as consultant with DFID, PLAN-INTERNATIONAL and other international agencies. His interests took him to work with traditional artisans like Coarse wool weavers, leather workers and those who work with wool/ and natural fiber. Presently he is working in rural areas of Belgaum with shepherds helping them to add value to their produce. He has been instrumental in building the capacities of the villagers who are developing their own products of high quality and they are exporting these products. He represents the Shepherd community form the North Karnataka in the steering committee.


7. Subbanna S. Biradar, Director, Bayalu Seeme Rural Development Society (BSRDS)
Plot No. 68, J.R. Nagar, Near Quadri Chowk, Aland Road, Gulbarga – 585 101
Cell : 9972157413, Email: bsrdsglb@rediffmail.com, bsrdsglb@gmail.com
Trained in Social Work, Mr Biradar has worked extensively in the NGO sector for the past 15 years. From literacy campaign to health his experience is diverse and is closely linked to the communities. He has experience of working in dry land farming in Bijapur district. His keen interest in working with agricultural issues has given a new perspective to his vision of rural development. At present he is the Director of an NGO called Bayalu Seeme Rural Development Society (BSRDS),in Gulbarga.


8. Vishvanath Patil Kouthabi, President, Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha
Koutha B, Santhapur, Bidar – 585 421 Cell: 9341084287
A farmer from the dry land region in Bidar. Mr Patil is currently the District President of the Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha [KRRS] the largest farmers movement of Karnataka. He was a school teacher in the early part of his working career. While teaching he got involved with the Raitha Sangha and after retirement he has taken the responsibility of organizing Raitha Sangha in Bidar district.


9. Santhosh Koulagi
Santhosh a farmer or an intellectual who is working for farmer and agricultural issues. It is very difficult to categorize him in any one of the above boxes. From his childhood he has had a valuable exposure to Gandhian ideology due to his parents being Sarvodaya workers. He was in charge of the farm near Melukote. Inspired by Masanobu Fukuoka, Santhosh translated his book ONE STRAW REVOLUTION into Kannada (Ondue Hullinna Kranti). The translation is so powerful that, it has become a bible for organic farmers in Karnataka and it has seen the tenth edition, and a record number of copies being sold in Kannada. Presently he lives in a village near Melukote and works on various issues related to agriculture.


10. Smt. Sunanda Jayaram, KRRS, Bangalore
An extraordinarly dynamic and committed farmers leader from Mandya in Karnataka, Ms Sunandamma once headed the KRRS’s State Women Farmers’ Wing and lead several struggles for the cause of farmers in Karnataka. She has also proved as a model people representative during her tenure as a ZP member in Mandya. District. At present she is involved in the activities of the National Alliance for People’s Movement’s Karnataka chapter. She is also an active member of Cauvery Family; comprising of farmers’ representatives from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states for the peaceful resolution of Cauvery water dispute which is considred an extraordinary initiative to find peace in a political atmosphere of violence and turbulence...


11. Sri. Basavaraj Santeshiver
A farmer scientist deeply involved in organic farming in Satneshivara village, Hassan District Karnataka Mr Santeshivar is practicing and conducting various farm experiments in his mixed farm comprising of crops like coconut, banana etc. and is regularly exchanging his experience with fellow farmers through writing and meetings at a farmers group devoted to organic cultivation in Hassan. Currently, he is a member of Government of Karnataka’s Organic Mission.


12. Sri. Kuruburu Shantha Kumar, Convenor, Federation of Farmers' Association of Karnataka
A farmer leader from Chamarajnagar, fighting for the cause of sugar cane cultivators in Karnataka, he has successfully organized several struggles of sugarcane growers and lead many delegations to governments both at the national as well as state levels for pressing the demands of sugarcane farmers. Currently he is the President of Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association, Convener, Federation of Farmers’ Association of Karnataka. He is also publishing a weekly farm journal called Raitha Dhwani in Kannada and has recently brought out a monograph called “Sihi Beledavana Kahi Balu” highlighting the problems of sugarcane cultivators in Karnataka.


13. Sri. Y.G. Muralidhar, CREAT, Bangalore
An activist. Actively involved in Consumer Rights moment and Right to Information, Bangalore.
A consumers’ right activist and convener of Bangalore based Consumer Right Education and Awareness Trust (CREAT) that provides legal consultancy and technical guidance on all aspects of problems / issues related to consumers in Karnataka. The CREAT is conducting discussions, dialogue and meeting regularly on consumer issues as well as on various provisions under RTI Act.



14. Dr. Channesh
An agriculture scientist who graduated from UAS Bangalore specialized (Ph.D) in Soil Science Dr Channesh has a very wide experience of working in Karnataka Vijnana Parishad, Kannada University, Hampi and Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. Currently he is working as Assistant Professor and Subject Matter Specialist in KVK Chintamani. He is credited with a number of publications both scientific and popular on soil science, biodiversity and organic farming.


15. Sri. P Babu, ICRA, Bangalore
P. Babu has been associated with ICRA, a civil society organisation working on sustainable organic farming in Karnataka for more than two decades. ICRA has been working with more than 5000 small and very small rain fed farmers in various agro-ecological regions of Karnataka, focusing on evolving context specific sustainable organic practices with essential technical support. Farmers experimental groups called ‘Prayog Parivar, under ICRA’s guidance have been working in developing organic management practices in dozens of dry land crops and vegetables, there by achieving record yield and whole farm productivity. ICRA has been conducting state level trainings for the past two decades on different trends/aspects of sustainable organic agriculture including permaculture, Natuco farming, Bio-dynamic agriculture and there by facilitated hundreds of farmers in different regions of Karnataka to adopt these methods. ICRA is involved with ongoing action research studies on food security, agricultural labour and NREGA, Farmers’ suicide, land degradation, mixed cropping etc in Karnataka. ICRA is one of the leading publishers on sustainable organic farming related Kannada literature, including the bi-monthly magazine Sahaja Saguvali. Econet, the first ever organic farmer-consumer network in South India was initiated by ICRA in 1994 ICRA has been closely associated with various national networks like OFAI, SAGE, BDAI etc, right from their inception


16. P V Satheesh, Director, Deccan Development Society
P V Satheesh has been working for the last 25 years with about 5000 dalit women farmers on the issues of food and seed sovereignty, autonomous community controlled market and media, autonomous local healthcare systems, relevant education and such issues. He is known internationally for his work on food sovereignty, fight against genetic engineering and community media. He is the convenor of a number of national and international networks such as South Against Genetic Engineering [SAGE], AP Alliance for Food Sovereignty[APAFS], Alliance South Asia Food Sovereignty [AFSA] and Alliance for Democratisation of Agricultural Research in South Asia [ADARSA]. Till recently he was the Chair of the international organization GRAIN. He is also a development filmmaker and writer and has dozens of films and books against his name.


17. Anitha Pailoor,
119, 1st main, 4th cross, Narayanapur, Dharwad – 580 008
Ph: 0836 – 2444736, Cell: 9448410077, Email: anithapailoor@gmail.com
Currently the Chair of Centre for Agricultural Media, Anitha has been Freelancing in Kannada and English on development issues. She studied the impact of community seed banks on the livelihood of farmers in Karnataka under National Foundation for India’s media fellowship. She has been involved in social studies on developmental issues including water, agriculture and environment.

Since 2001 Anitha has been involved with the activities initiated by the Centre for Agricultural Media (CAM), based in Dharwad as its Managing Trustee. She also co-ordinates the correspondence course (in Kannada) in farm and rural journalism started by CAM.


18 Pandunrang Hegde, Appiko, Sirsi
Pandurang Hegde has been at the forefront of ecological movements in Karnataka for thepast three decades. After his Masters Degree in Social Work from Delhi University, Pandurang Hegde jumped into the iconic Chipko Movement lead by Sundarlal Bahuguna and traveled by foot on a trans Himalayan March to spread the message of eco conservation. When he came back to his home town of Sirsi in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka, he planted the same strategies and lead a historic people’s movement named Appiko against tree felling in the Western Ghats. The success of this campaign lead to many movements which he either lead or was on the front line. He has undertaken many Padayatras [foot marches] across the vast Western Ghats to inspire and involve people in the struggle for ecological restoration of Western Ghats. He wrote extensively on these movements and still continues to write on issues of ecology, biodiversity and organic farming. He was an Ashoka Fellow for a few years and now runs an NGO called PRAKRUTI from his home town Sirsi.

Oversight Panel
The oversight panel consists   of senior level people from Civil Society as well as people with long standing record of public service. Their main role is to oversee that the entire process is carried out in an impartial way, without any bias in the process towards Farmers Jury.
Each event is reported back to OP and they are regularly updated with the entire process, keeping them informed as well as seeking their suggestions/comments leading to Farmers Jury. The members of Oversight Panel are:

M N Venkatachalaiah
Formerly Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India
Dr H Sudarshan Winner of the prestigious Right Livelihood Award [also known as Alternative Nobel Prize] Dr H R Sudarshan pioneered the concept of indigenous health systems as the way out of the public health crisis in India by working with the Soliga tribes by establishing the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra [VGKK] in the Chamarajanagar area of Karnataka. Later he established Karuna Trust in 1986 to further this cause outside of Chamarajanagar. The Trust now runs 25 Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres in all the districts of the state of Karnataka and nine PHC's in Arunachal Pradesh.
Dr Gopal Kadekdi, An eminent development economist who headed the Institute of Economic Growth at the Delhi University and later worked as the Director of the prestigious Institute for Social and Economic Research, Bangalore. He has written dozens of books on Development and Economics. The latest being Development Karnataka : Issues of Governance and Common Property Resources and Management Dr Dwarakinath Formerly Chairman of Karnataka Agricultural Commission and Vice Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Dr. Dwarakinath is an eminent agricultural scientist who has received several prestigious awards and has been a part of a number of policy making panels including Karnataka State Planning Board.
Mr K R Venugopal, IAS, formerly Advisor to the Prime Minister and generally known as the Father of PDS in India, till recently Rapporteur to the National Human Rights Commission. Dr Hanumantaiah A Dalit activist and writer, Shri Hanumanthaiah has authored many books and edited the book on Jagjivan Ram. He is a product of Dalit and Bandaya literary movement.

An outstanding speaker of dalit and peoples issues his tenure as Member of Karnataka Legislature Council. His powerful articulation of dalit women’s issues has moved the state to enact important laws
Smt Hemalata Mahishi An advocate by profession Ms Mahishi has been associated with women’s movements focussing on legal literacy for women. She was actively involved in formulating various laws on Dowry, against sexual harassment in work place, women’s property rights. She has authored many books on women and law and is a popular columnist. Formerly a member of Karnataka Women’s Commission and a member of the Board of Governors of the prestigious Institute for Social and Economic Change in Bangalore. Lalitha Naik Well known writer from the iconic Bandaya Sahitya [revolutionary literature] Movement, Ms Naik is a novelist, poet, short story writer and playwright. Her writings depict the situation of women in her Banjara community, a nomadic indigenous tribe. Her political activism has taken her close to the dalit struggles, literary protest movements and many other social movements. She has been a member of the Karnataka State Legislative Council as well as the Assembly. She also had a brief stint as a minister of the Karnataka Cabinet in 1994. She is also been a traditional artist and performer.
Resource Person and Advisor
Dr. Michel Pimbert is currently Director of the Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity and Livelihoods Program at the UK based International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED www.iied.org).  An agricultural ecologist by training, he previously worked at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India, the University François Rabelais de Tours in France, and the World Wide Fund for Nature in Switzerland. His action research focuses on food sovereignty, sustainable agriculture and citizenship; the political ecology of natural resource and biodiversity management; participatory methodologies and deliberative democratic processes.  Over the last 25 years he has published extensively in these areas, linking theory with practice. Dr. Pimbert has been a Board member of several international NGOs working on food sovereignty, sustainable agriculture and human rights.
 
Farmers Jury: (FJ)
Farmers Jury will consist of 30 members. This will have state wide representation as well as it will represent men and women farmers. It will also have representation from Adivasi and Dalit committee and landless laborer.
Selection of Farmers Jury:
The members of steering committee will nominate farmers for the Jury. From about 100 such names/ nominations, the final list of 30 arrived  by  the criteria set by the  Steering Committee.
From the 100 farmers, the Roshani Nilaya School of Social Work will interview each of these 100 farmers and select 30 according to the criteria. These final names will be endorsed by  Steering Committee and oversight panel
Final Jury List
NO Name NO Name
1.

Syamavva Sayabanna
Inachakal Village,
Iyyanora Ooni, Bilebhari (At & Pt)
Talikote– 586214
Bijapur District
Age: 50 years
Caste : SC
Ph : 09845136011
A small farmer from tribal community, Syamavva owns six acres of dry land and grows maize, sunflower, red gram, greengram and sorghum [jowar]. She follows mixed cropping system on her land.

2. Shobhavathi R. Tugave
Jira B Santhpur,
Aurad Taluk
Bidar District - 585 421
Age: 36 years
Caste : Gen
Ph : 08485 693930
A marginal tribal farmer, Shobhavati Tugave uses traditional method of organic cultivation on her two acres of dryland where she grows Foxtail millet, paddy, red gram, maize, finger millet and green gram.

3. Maruthi T Kamble
Bajepalli Village,
Nada Post,
Via Santhapur,
Aurad Taluk
Bidar District- 585421
Age: 60 years
Caste : SC
Cell : 09243974606
Kamble is a dalit marginal farmer owning two acres of dry land and depends entirely on rain for the cultivation of maize, red gram and green gram which he grows in his field.
4.

Laxmibai M. Kamble
W/o Malkappa Kamble
Nellur (At)
Donnoor Post
Aland Taluk,
Gulbarga District
Age: 38 years
Caste : SC
Ph : 08477 290061
Cell : 09686070664
A marginal tribal farmer Laxmibai owns two acres of dry land on which she grows red gram, sunflower and chick pea. She depends on rain water for cultivation. Uncertainty of rain is the biggest problem she feels. She has great interest in organic farming.

5.

Ajjemma B. Illeppanavar
Elliri Village,
Yalheri Post,
Yadgiri Taluk,
Gulbarga District
Age: 63 years
Caste : SC
Ph : 08473 – 216879
Cell : 09611461431
Ajjemma, a dalit farmer owns 9 acre dry land and depends entirely on rain for her farming. She grows red gram, sunflower, maize, paddy and ground nut in a totally organic fashion and uses biofertilisers such as vermicompost produced on her own farm.

6. Rudrappa M. Zulapi
Huliayala Post,
Jamkhandi Taluk,
Bagalkot District 587301
Age : 39 years
Caste : Gen
Ph : 08353 238016
Cell : 09901615773
A medium farmer Zulapi owns five acres dry land and 10 acres irrigated land. He grows sugarcane, red gram, turmeric, wheat, vegetables and varieties of maize. He uses natural farming method such as Jeevamratha He has conserved local varieties of eggplants [Brinjal] and wheat. He has won many awards for his creativity and hard work. He is regularly invited to give lectures on natural farming. He has even attended a farmers’ conference at Beijing, China.

7. Sadashivappa . B
S/o Basavegoudha
Maregowdanahalli Post,
Kasaba - Hobli
Via Honnavalli,
Tiptur Taluk
Tumkur District
Age : 74 years
Caste : Gen
Ph : 08134 340678 / 08134 340678
Cell : 09449997773
A medium farmer Sadashivappa uses innovative organic methods to grow coconut, pepper, betel nut, banana, ginger, turmeric and other crops on his ten acres of irrigated land and a basket of rainfed crops such as finger millet [ragi], sorghum [jowar] and oilseeds on his five acres of dryland.
8. Eraiah Killedar Kavithaprakashan
Gudikatti Post, Govinakoppa,
Belgaum. Taluk & District
Age: 51 years
Caste : Gen
Ph : 08288 235833
Cell : 09731575119
A marginal farmer Killedar owns 1.5 acres which he uses for his experiments in farming. There are more than 600 trees of different varieties medicinal, fruit, wood, honey preparation. He has vast knowledge about farming methods and writes on farmers issues to various newspapers and journals. He is also a poet.

9.

Pakirappa R Baraker
Caste : ST
Koppala District

10. Maruthi Ningappa Hosmani
Kamanoor Post, Via Bevur
Koppal Taluk & Dist 583237
Age: 25 years
Caste : ST
Cell : 09480756630
On his three acres of land Hosmani raises irrigated.maize, sorghum [Jowar], foxtail millet [Navane] and vegetables.

11. Dawal Saab B
Caste : Muslim
Raichur District
12 Jayatanubi Peersab Nadaph
At/Post
Hulikoti Village,
Gadag Taluk & District
Age: 38 years
Caste : ST
Cell : 09449069155
The only farm labourer on the Jury, Jayatanubi is a pastoralist and raises goats for her living apart from working on other people’s farms.

13. Shivaganagmma B. Hosamani
Hirekoppa Post,
Gadag Taluk & District
Age: 52 years
Caste : OBC
Cell : 09900363962
A small farmer, Shivagangamma owns 6 acres of dry and depends completely on rain for her farming. She grows onion, red gram, chillies, green gram, maize and cotton under dryland conditions. Her farm is considered as a model farm by other farmers.

14. Shantimoole M.T.
Janani Jaivika Sangha, At/Post
Pailoor Village,
Sulya Taluk,
Dakshin Kannada District - 574 248
Age: 66 years
Ph : 08257 284601,320563
Cell : 09481845604
An organic farmer with a small landholding, Shantimoole innovates constantly and works on value addition to his farm produce. He is also a renowned bee farmer and the editor of a farm journal ‘Madhuprapancha’[World of Honey].
15.

Hoysala S.Appaji
Unnenahalli,
Beekenahally Post,
Holenarasipur taluq,
Hassan District
Age: 35 years
Caste : Gen
Ph : 08175 272525
Cell : 09449462397
Owner of eight acres of irrigated and dry land, Appaji is a reputed farmer in his neighbourhood and has inspired many other farmers.

16. Lalitha G Bhat
Mavinasara Village,
Yedajigalemane Post,
Sagara Taluq,
Shimoga 577 401 Dist.
Age: 48 years
Caste : Gen
Ph : 08183 296251
Cell : 09482204401
On her 1.5 acre very small farm Lalitha Bhat grows beetlenut, pepper, red grammeric, betel leaf and vegetables. She follows organic and natural method. She is deeply interested in farmers’ issues.

17. Gurulingayya S.M.
Hagari Gajapura Village, Via Kottur
Harapanahalli Taluq,
Davangere District
Age: 30 years
Caste : SC
Cell : 09972983616
A very small farmer, Gurubasappa articulates on small farmer issues
18. Chittappa S,
S/O Sannachittappa,
Guddagollarahalli Village,
Kodihalli Post, Via Aranakatte,
Hiriyuru Taluq,
Chitradurga Dist
Age: 53 years
Caste : SC
Cell : 09901625022
A medium farmer and Dalit, Chittappa owns 2.36 acre dry land and 4.38 acres wet land. In the wet land he grows finger millet [raagi], paddy and vegetables. The crops he raises on the dry land include groundnut and sunflower. Though a non literate person, his interest in understanding farming methods is intense and attends all the meetings on farming issues and methods.

19.

Chikkabore Gowda
S/o Lingaiah
Sathanur Village, Post
Mandya Taluk & Dist
Age : 51 years
Caste : OBC
Ph : 09341167703
He owns 3.20 acres of cultivable land in which he grows Sugarcane, paddy raagi, coconut, beetle nut. He uses both natural farming and organic farming methods in his cultivation. He strives for policy changes in agriculture in favour of small farmers.

20. Lalitavva
Hosalli
Kurubagonda Post,
Haveri Taluk & District
Age : 61 years
A small farmer who owns three acres of dryland Lalitavva grows cotton and maize along with sorghum [jowar], finger millet [ragi], foxtail millet [navani], horesgram [Huruli] and, Niger [Gurellu]
21. Hombiah
Somanahalli Village,
Berya Post,
Hosa Agrahara Hobli
K R Nagara, Taluk
Mysore District
Age: 45 years
Caste : SC
Cell : 09008019667
On his four acres of dry land, Hombaiah grows finger millet [ragi], chillies, cereals and vegetables. They also raise cows and chickens. It’s a joint family venture.
22. Siddarajappa
Susthira Savayava Krishikaru,
Kaggalur Village, Madapura Post,
Nanjangud Taluk,
Mysore District
Age: 46 years
Caste : Lingayat
Ph : 09972170082
On his three acres of dry land Siddarajappa grows horse gram, paddy, coconut, mango, vegetables in a fully organic fashion. He is not only knowledgeable on farmers issues but also takes a lot of interest in participating on farmers meetings and conferences

23. Kallavva Malleshappa Haklad
Karadikoppa Post
Hubli Taluk
Dharwad District
Age: 55 years
Caste : OBC
Cell : 09902156165 / 09900575035
A small farmer, Kallavva raises Sorghum [jowar], Cowpea, Black gram, fruits and other horticultural plants and vegetables on her farm both under raifed conditions as well as using open well.
24.

Muniamma E. Varadayya
Gangammanahalli,
Chirabi Post,
Via Kottur Kudlagi Taluk
Bellary Dist 583134
Age: 52 years
Caste : OBC
Cell : 09008736150
Muniamma is a dalit farmer and owns three acres of which two acres are dry and one acre is under irrigated conditions. She uses organic and natural farming methods and grows Finger millet [Ragi], paddy and vegetables. She also raises cows to support her organic farming.

25. Talavar Ajjappa.
Ramanayakanahalli
Haralu Post, Via Kottur
Kudligi Taluk,
Bellary Dist - 583134
Age : 25 years
Caste : ST
Ph : 09591267398
A tribal farmer Ajjappa owns 2.5 acres of which one acre is dry land and another one and half acre is irrigated. He grows many varieties of maize and red gram.
26. Hemavva T Lamani
Kapola Tanda,
Venkatpur Tanda Post,
Ranebenure Taluq,
Haveri District
Age : 56 years
Caste : ST
Cell : 09880223099 / 09731704031
She owns 2.5 acre dry land, uses mixed method organic and modern, and grows varieties of maize, cereals, pulses, cotton. Due to floods her land is damaged. She is a model farmer in her Tanda.

27. Shivamma R
W/O Ramaiah
Alanatta
Kodihalli Hobli
Kanakapur Taluk
Ramnagar District
Age: 50 years
Caste : SC
Ph : 09663020196
A tribal farmer Hemavva owns 4.36 acres of land of which 3.36 acre is dry and one acre is under irrigated condition. She follows mixed methods both organic and chemical. Her preference is with organic farming. She grows finger millet [Raagi], groundnut, coconut, sericulture and vegetables.

28 Gangamma Puttarsaiah
Lakkasandra Village,
Magadi Taluk,
Ramanagara District
Age : 50 years
Caste : SC
Cell : 09845434603
A dalit farmer owning two acres of land with minimum irrigation, she grows banana, vegetables, finger millet [ragi] and red gram.
29.

Laxmi Siddhi
Shiragoan, Kaggali Post,
Sirsi Taluk,
Uttara Kannada District
Age : 42 years
Caste : ST
Ph : 08283 245706
Cell : 0958283 240524
Coming from the tribal community of Siddhis Laxmi farms on her 1.10 acre dry land under totally organic methods and grows paddy, coconut, sugarcane and beetle nut. She is also a very good craftsperson.

30. Hachche Gowda
S/O Odegowda, Erakinagadde podu
Inachakal
BR Hills,
Yalandoor Taluk,
Chamarajanagar Dist
Age : 50 years
Caste :
Cell : 09980687506
Growing rain fed food crops. Also grows banana, coffee etc. in rain fed condition. Preserves local seeds of all crops. He is happy being a farmer.
Summary of the Farmers Selected - Caste and Sex wise
Caste
Female
Male
Total
Muslim
-
2
2
SC /ST
8
8
16
OBC
3
2
5
General
4
3
7
Total
15
15
30
Specialist witness: (SW)
The specialist witness is from those who represent the Agricultural Research as well people from Civil Society Organisations. They may be representing government departments, Agricultural University, Farmers Organisation, consumer Organisation and bureaucracy.
Their main role is to address the Farmers Jury on the issue of Agricultural Research and its relevance to farmers.
The SW will defend their activities in the area of agricultural research. After hearing their defense the FJ will seek clarifications and deliberate on this issue before giving the verdict.

Dr Sarvesh,
Director, Agriculture, Karnataka
Smt Sunanda Jayaram,
KRRS, Karnataka Dr S A Patil, Chair, Karnataka Krishi Mission
Smt Gayathri, Editor, Sahaja Saguvali, Bengalooru Dr Sailaja Hittalmani,
Professor & Head, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengalooru
Dr A R Vasavi, National Institute for Advanced Studies, Bengalooru Dr Sharan Angadi, Head of Breeding, Tropical Asia Pacific Nunhems India Pvt.
Dr Prasad,
Editor, LEISA INDIA, Bengalooru
Dr Nuthan, Associate Director of Research, UAS, Bengalooru
   
Shri Neelakantappa Kurubar, Pastoralists Federation, Belgaum Prof Peter Reason, Director and Director of Studies, Postgraduate Programme in Action Research, University of Bath, UK
Dr Sudhir Vombatkere, National Alliance for People’s Movements, Chair, Mysore Grahakara Parishad, Mysore  
Stakeholders Participation (SP)
They are representatives of those organisations (World Bank, FAO, or ICAK) who are working on the issue of Agricultural Research and funding agricultural development process in the country. They were observes in the meeting