Organic-millets stall to come up in Mangaluru

Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said that a permanent organic and millets stall will be set up in Mangaluru to provide a direct market for the farmers to sell their organic crops and to supply healthy food to the consumers.

He was speaking after inaugurating a two-day organic and millets fair, at Kadri Park on Saturday.

"The shandy markets are organised for the organic produce to reach consumers. Udupi has been successful in the venture. Such shandy market to sell organic produce should be held in Mangaluru too," he said.

The state government has encouraged the setting up of federations of organic farmers to facilitate the farmers to sell their produce directly without the interference of middlemen. Already 14 federations of organic farmers have been formed in the state. The farmers in the districts are encouraged to process, package and sell their produce directly in the market. The government has also entered into a tie-up with retail chains to provide a market for the produce.

The organic and millets fair was being held with an intention to provide market linkage to growers and also to make people aware of organic products and millets. Such melas are being held across the state and it will be a prelude to the three-day international-mela to be held at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru from January 18.

The minister urged MLA J R Lobo and ZP CEO Dr M R Ravi to organise organic crops fair every week on the lines of Udupi so that public is aware of the organic produce.

Replying to it, MLA J R Lobo said that organic fair was being held every week for the last three years. He promised to hold a campaign in this regard.

He also said that a dedicated space for organic farmers to sell their produce will be earmarked either in Alake or near Kadri Park. Immediate arrangements will be made if setting up a market was feasible at Alake. However, if the administration decides to set up the facility at Kadri Park, then it will take some time.

Organic Farmers' Federations from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Tumakuru and Davangere had set up stalls at the fair. Delicacies made of millets such as cookies, kodubale, chakkuli, maddoor vade and instant mixes were on sale.

A demonstration on preparing delicacies from millets namely ragi, Navane (foxtail millet) and Samai was also held as a part of the two-day fair.

District-in-charge Minister Ramanath Rai was present. A trial run of toy train at Kadri Park was also held on the occasion.