That was truly the display of farmers’ strength. When the speakers at the Indian Farmers’ Day directly criticised the multi-national companies for snatching the fundamental rights of the farmers, the exhibition convened by the farmers outside the auditorium indirectly but clearly conveyed what the country is going to lose in its future years.

About 10 stalls erected on the grounds of Bharat Scouts and Guides Bhavan at Lalbagh in the City on Wednesday, not only created one-of-its-kind trade fair of farmers but also showed what farmers could achieve if they are left to implement their ideas in their own way.

In fact, it was an exhibition of what farmers have grown in their own farms by using organic methods. They have all raised their voice against the chemical fertilisers and have established a strong base for organic ways of farming in Dakshina Kannada.

“Here is a direct relationship between the farmers and the consumers. We get what we deserve. I don’t think we experience loss if we give produces in this rate, which is less than the existing price in the market,” says progressive farmer Faustine Sequeira.

Mr Sequeira had displayed only those produces what he had grown in his farm in Paladka near Moodabidri. There was such a class of variety in his stall that most of the produces were unknown to the visitors. People were seen enquiring the identity of the produces and how to use them as food. Perhaps, they got an opportunity to see certain rare crops which they have just read about or heard somewhere. The varieties in tapioca, for example, itself were amazing.

The visitors were so eager to purchase the fresh and attractive vegetables in the fair that all stalls were almost empty by noon. In fact, may people returned disappointed as they couldn’t buy anything. Even the price in which the farmers were selling their produces was also surprising. One farmer, for instance, was selling coconuts for Rs 5.