Millets, organic products available under roof

With increasing awareness about the health benefits of millets and organically-grown produces, exhibition and outlets selling such produces have not become very uncommon in recent years, and now, organic and millet lovers have another event to visit in the City, where farmers' groups and organic firms have also brought millets, organically grown food grains, and other products.

A three-day 'Organic & Millet Mela', organised by Agriculture Department and Sahaja Samruddha, has begun at Laxmi Sadan at JC Nagar here. Farmer's groups from different places are showcasing Navane, Sajje, Baraga, Save, Ragi and other millets, while bamboo rice, flour, honey, juice, Lavancha, herbal products, food products, and cosmetics items are also available.

The exhibition, which is open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, is aimed at creating awareness among both consumers and farmers about the importance of millets and organic food grains. A millet food competition will also be held on Sunday (December 17).

'Incentives available'

Agriculture Department Joint Director T S Rudreshappa inaugurated the Organic & Millet Mela on Friday, and he noted that millets are being grown on 800 hectares of land in the district, while organic produces are being grown on 2,000 hectares of land in the district.

The government is providing incentive and subsidy facilities for growing millets and organic produces, while farmers' groups are also formed to get organic certificates. Consumers should have the awareness to purchase such produces only from those who have organic certificate, he noted.

Bigger Mela this month-end

Farmers from Dharwad, Haveri and Gadag districts would participate in the Organic & Millet Mela to be held at Indira Glass House in the City on December 30 and 31. An international-level exhibition would be in Bengaluru from January 19 to 21, Mr Rudreshappa said.

Rs 2,100 minimum support price (MSP) per quintal of jowar has already been announced, while Rs 1,425 MSP for maize has been proposed, he added.

Horticulture Department Deputy Director Ramachandra Madiwalar, organic farmer Veeranagouda Patil, Eeranna Kalkutkar, Yallappa Ramji, Jayamma N, and others were present.