Bengaluru, 12th March 2026: Reaffirming the roles of Agricultural Extension Officers otherwise referred as AEOs of Tibetan Agricultural Settlements in South, Central and North Eastern States of India – the AEOs from Southern Tibetan Settlements had an explorative meeting with senior executives of State Department of Agriculture, Karnataka. The meeting was focus upon the presentation of agricultural cultivation in respective settlements – past and present – and the challenges being faced by the Tibetan Farmers in exile.
Unlike other States, Karnataka being the largest settlements of Tibetans in exile, the land being leased by State Government under the direction of Union Government of India since early sixties – is largely seen as mecca of Tibetans in exile. As assured in His words of submission by His Holiness the Dalai Lama being reflected in the official communique sent to then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in early sixties – clearly states that Tibetan People shall plough the land not only for cultivation and housing but for the sustainability of Tibetan identity and its culture. Through this meeting, the AEOs had the exposure of how the concerned department of Agriculture looks into the possible future of Agricultural values and its implementation for the survival of global and local community.
The meeting was chaired by Shri.Y.S. Patil (IAS) Commissioner; Dr.G.T. Puthra, Director; Ms.Deepaja, Joint Director from the Department of Agriculture. While listening to all the presentations, the AEOs were complimented with taking up their roles efficiently and bridging between the farmers and administration. It was also suggested during the meeting to present a comprehensive submission and to reach out the higher executives to receive other beneficiaries that Tibetan Farmers may entitled with.
Along with cultivation and production in the agricultural sector, soil test mechanism, organic outreach, market explorations were also highlighted during the meeting that last for more than three hours in the evening at the premises of Commissionerate Office of Department of Agriculture, Bengaluru, Karnataka. Six AEOs from five settlements and four AEOs from Organic Research Training Center, Bylakuppe including the Manager, Tsewang Norbu participated in this meeting.
