15 September,2009 08:56 AM IST | | Chetan R
He sent a friend last weekend to do a recce of an organic farm in a remote village in central Karnataka
Rahul Gandhi is likely to make a secret visit to a remote village in Karnataka. A friend of the Congress leader did a recce at Hosagunda, 315 km from Bangalore, on Sunday, a source told MiD DAY.
Brijendra Shukla of Amethi visited agriculturist and industrialist C M N Shastri's farm, spread over 30 acres amid dense forests in Shimoga district.
"I will brief Rahulji about my visit," said Brijendra Shukla, a personal friend of the Gandhis. "I'm here to take inputs on organic farming to him."
New methods
Shastri is trying out innovative ways of crop cultivation, include organic farming.
He runs an R&D centre and grows more than a thousand species.
"We have ways to make the yield better. This brings guests to our place," said Shastri, MD and CEO, Phalada Agro Research Foundation.
Long walk
Shukla, who spent two days at Hosagunda, walked about the forests for five hours.
Shastri has been the moving spirit behind a unique project where 108 endangered medicinal plant species are planted every year. "This has been on for three years," he said. He has been encouraging medicinal plant cultivation through organic farming, which shuns chemical fertilisers.
"This place is creating a huge impact on the lives of farmers," said Shukla. "It's an important change in rural India."
No dates
Rahul is yet to finalise the dates of his visit. Shukla wouldn't give details.
"It's true he is keen to visit farmers in all parts of country, especially those in remote areas, and empower them.
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That's all we can say for now," he told MiD DAY.
