Suresh S. Honnappagol, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said here on Sunday that these newly developed breeds were disease-free and that the university was giving priority to inland fisheries.

Dr. Honnappagol was in Hassan to participate in the second foundation day of the veterinary college.

Addressing presspersons, he said the Government had issued notifications for acquiring 222 acres of land at Sathyamangala near Hassan. But people of the area were against the acquisition as the land was fertile.

During the recent visit of Minister for Animal Husbandry Revu Naik Belamagi here, farmers urged him not to permit the land acquisition as the land was fertile and it was their only source of livelihood.

Dr. Honnappagol said the university had deposited Rs. 14.95 crore with the Deputy Commissioner’s office towards land acquisition charges, and the Government would take a final decision in this regard soon.

Dr. Honnappagol said the Centre had released Rs. 1.11 crore to the university for farming activities.

According to The Hindu, tt had also released Rs. 1 crore for upgrading hostels in the colleges in Bangalore and Bidar.

He said that in order to provide food for cattle during drought, the university had collected 186 tonnes of bagasse to be mixed with fodder. He said cattle did not relish bagasse, but would eat it if mixed with fodder.