Puttur, May 05: In an inspiring initiative that bridges youthful curiosity with grassroots innovation, three first-year BZC (Botany, Zoology, Chemistry) students from St Philomena College (Autonomous), Puttur, undertook an educational field visit to the home of renowned agro scientist and conservationist Satyanarayana Beleri. The visit was driven by the students’ deep interest in sustainable agriculture and crop biodiversity.
Deekshitha K.S., Greeshma, and Disha, the inquisitive trio, conducted a thought-provoking interview with Beleri, whose pioneering efforts in the preservation and cultivation of over 650 indigenous varieties of paddy, vegetables, and fruits have drawn national attention. A self-taught agro visionary, Beleri has been instrumental in promoting eco-friendly farming methods and reviving traditional crops that are on the brink of extinction.
During the interaction, the students gained first-hand insight into organic farming, seed conservation, natural pest control techniques, and climate-resilient cropping systems. Beleri emphasized the importance of biodiversity in ensuring food security and ecological balance, especially in the face of climate change and soil degradation.
The students, visibly inspired by the experience, described the encounter as transformative. “We didn’t just learn about plants; we witnessed a philosophy of living in harmony with nature,” said Deekshitha. Greeshma and Disha echoed similar sentiments, noting that such interactions bridge the gap between textbook science and real-world applications.
Faculty members from the Department of Life Sciences commended the initiative, describing it as a successful outcome of experiential learning and community engagement.