The BJP candidate from Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, Nalin Kumar Kateel, who won the Lok Sabha poll from the district, has said that he will give priority for setting up a special agricultural zone (SAZ) in his constituency.
In an informal chat with presspersons here on Friday, he said that his dream is to set up an SAZ in the district, as the region relies on agriculture economy.
The intention of setting up an agriculture zone is to save agriculture, farmers and farm labourers, he said.
When his attention was drawn towards the lack of farm labourers to carry out farming activities, he said there will be new plans to develop this concept. Though the region is dependent on crops such as arecanut and paddy, thrust will be given for growing other crops that are suitable for the region. Technological know-how and technology will be used to take this task forward, he said.
The idea is to set up SAZ in 1,500-2,000 acres of land in Puttur and Sullia taluks in the initial phase, he said.
On the other focus areas, he said he will make efforts to create a separate railway division for Mangalore region. At present, Mangalore region is shared among Southern Railway zone, South Western Railway zone, and Konkan Railway network. The railway users from the region have been urging the Government to bring the region under the South Western Railway zone and create a separate division for Mangalore.