New hub in Hebbal to boost millet trade

Bengaluru: An organics-millet hub will be constructed in Hebbal by the agriculture department to bring together millet growers, organic food producers, and consumers, and to expand the market.

The hub will be located on a two-acre plot opposite the Karnataka State Seeds Corporation in Hebbal and, if all goes as planned, it will be ready for use by next year. It will be constructed under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore, with the Centre providing Rs 12 crore and the state contributing Rs 8 crore. An 18-month timeframe has been set for the construction of the hub.

Karnataka is at the forefront of manufacturing millet and organic food products. Startups, farmer-produce organisations, and self-help groups are creating value-added products and marketing them.

“The Organics-Millet Hub is being constructed to build bridges between producers, sellers, and consumers to expand the market and raise awareness about the health benefits of organic and millet products. The hub has been conceptualised based on the responses to various millet melas held to date,” said an agriculture department officer.

The hub will recreate the atmosphere of a village, featuring sales stalls for organics, millet, and value-added products, along with separate food stalls. Facilities for processing, collecting, and packing millets will be established.

Additionally, the hub will host an exhibition to educate consumers, a B2B auditorium, a conference hall, a performance space, and export information centres.

Ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products will also be available for purchase at the hub.