3-day National Trade Fair on millets kicks off in B'luru

 The ‘National Trade Fair – Organics and Millets 2017’ began at Palace Grounds on Friday.   The fair witnessed the participation of over a thousand farmers from various parts of the state with visitors thronging more than 260 stalls.

Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda launched a ‘millet recipe book’ to promote the health benefits of millet consumption.

“The state will soon launch the Karnataka Organic Farming Policy 2017. This policy aims to bring organic farming into the mainstream and transform Karnataka’s agriculture into a sustainable, remunerative and respectable occupation, enabling production of safe and nutritious food by promoting eco-friendly and holistic organic farming and marketing systems,” he said.

“We have witnessed a tremendous growth in the agriculture sector over the past 65 years but have not yet been able to capitalise on it fully and address the farmers’ concerns. The National Trade Fair – Organics & Millets 2017, is a link between companies and farmers to boost their morale and aid them in efficiently cultivating and retailing their produce,” said Union Minister for Statistics and Implementation D V Sadananda Gowda.

‘Rise above politics’

“Organics and millets should rise above politics. Bengaluru has been known to be the Silicon Valley of India, IT-BT capital, aerospace capital and healthcare capital. I am extremely happy with Krishna Byre Gowda’s endeavour to make Bengaluru the Millet Capital of India,” said Union Chemicals Minister H N Ananth Kumar.
The three-day fair was inaugurated by Kumar along with Krishna Byre Gowda, Sadananda Gowda and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil.