JOIN USInaugurating the “Mango Mela” organised as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of Hopcoms here, Bachegowda said the mango mela will continue till the end of the fruit season and a target of selling 1,000 tonnes of mangoes has been set.
Promising rates cheaper than those in the market, Karnataka Horticulture Federation (KHF) and the Hopcoms is on a drive to conduct such melas across the State. “We have had an average crop this year, but this is normal in case of mango crop,” said V Gangadhar, convener for KHF. Gangadhar assured that the mango rates for various varieties will not vary from last year and is stable despite the average crop yield.
The minister outlined the capabilities of such melas for the development of Horticulture sector in the State. “Currently, Rs 26 crore has been released to the KHF for the development of the horticulture sector in the State, and the farmers will be provided with more assistance,” he promised.
Rs 2 crore profit
Bachegowda said Hopcoms generates a profit of around Rs 2 crore every year. “We have also been able to incorporate the mobile or market on wheels that are being taken across the State for the benefit of people,” he added.
Gangadhar said that every district in the State has been given one cold storage van for transportation of fruits and vegetable. A proposal of Rs 150 crore has been placed before the Central government for the development of horticulture in Karnataka by the State government. “We have asked for a further assistance of Rs 150 crore from the Centre and hope to get it cleared,” added Gangadhar.
DH News Service