Relish King of fruits at Mango Mela

The mela, that aims at providing quality mangoes to the Bangaloreans directly from the farmers, was inaugurated at Hopcoms, Hudson Circle by Horticulture and Prisons Minister Umesh V Katti. Eight varieties of mangoes will be sold at the mela at a reasonable price.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Katti said that despite the year being an off season, Hopcoms aims at distributing 1,000 tonnes of fruits in the City at all the 46 Hopcom outlets in the City. “Every year we were distributing just 800 tonnes,” he said.

Explaining about the Government’s sops to increase mango production in the State, Katti said mango growers are given a loan of Rs 30,000 per hectare, while another Rs 20,000 is given to revive the old mango trees aged above 20 years.

Expressing concern at the drastic reduction in mango cultivation during the year, he said the in order to boost production, the State Government will be set up Mango Development Board. “A sum of Rs 10 crores has been set aside for the purpose,” he said.
The mangoes will be sold in all the 46 hopcoms in the City. He said the State Government intends to increase the number of hopcoms to 100 in the City. As a first step,another six will be added on Saturday.

 Labour Minister K N Bacchegowda was also present on this occasion.

Vermicompost

The Organic farming boom is now set to take a big leap as the Hopcoms to cater to the gardening lovers, will be selling vermicompost in its outlets in the City.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Dr B Krishna, managing Director, HOPCOMS said the initiative will begin in all the Hopcoms. “We have already linked farmers and Karnataka Compost development Corporation (KCDC) and the farmers who are producing compost on a large scale,” he said.

Hopcoms is also planning a chain of walk-in outlets in the City on the lines of super markets at Yelahanka, HSR Layout, ITPL and other places in the City.