<p>Amid the pandemic, some 20,000 households in Karkala, a coastal town in Udupi district, are growing ‘bili bende’ (white okra) in a concerted effort to create a marketplace for the vegetable that is known for its unique taste.</p>.<p>And it’s not just white okra that is being turned into a brand. Farmers are also looking to popularise the 'Karla kaje' variety of boiled rice, which is grown in Karkala in large quantities. Karla is the Tulu name for Karkala. </p>.<p>Anchoring this campaign to make the Karkala okra and rice popular is BJP legislator V Sunil Kumar. </p>.<p>Growing up to nearly a foot, the white okra grown in and around Karkala is known for its unique taste and size. Similarly, the kaje rice variety is known for its fibre and iron content. </p>.<p>“There are brands such as the Dharwad Pedha and Channapatna toys. We want to create a brand for the 'Karla kaje' variety and 'bili bende' from Karkala,” said Kumar, who is the Karkala MLA and the government’s chief whip.</p>.<p>“About 1.5 years ago, a meeting was held with the farmers of our taluk. It was decided to select two products that can be made into Karkala brands. A committee was formed and it chose the 'Karla kaje' and 'bili bende',” Kimar said, adding that this was a ‘vocal for local’ initiative. </p>.<p>In the last harvest season, farmers cultivated 5,500 quintals of kaje rice, which Kumar said was organic and non-polished. “This time, we plan to cultivate at least 10,500 quintals,” he said. </p>.<p>From June 1, Kumar started distributing the white okra seeds to 20,000 homes in his constituency free of cost.</p>.<p>“The idea is for people to take up agriculture and develop a feeling that bili bende is their brand. Our own people should grow it first, sell it in the local market and then take it to other markets,” he said.</p>.<p>“The bili bende takes 65-70 days to grow. It can be grown on the terrace or the facade. It needs wet waste, spraying of neem oil and minimal water,” Kumar said.</p>.<p>The MLA hopes to see Karla kaje and bili bende varieties become “a formidable brand” in the next 2-3 years and eventually acquire the Geographical Indication tag.</p>
<p>Amid the pandemic, some 20,000 households in Karkala, a coastal town in Udupi district, are growing ‘bili bende’ (white okra) in a concerted effort to create a marketplace for the vegetable that is known for its unique taste.</p>.<p>And it’s not just white okra that is being turned into a brand. Farmers are also looking to popularise the 'Karla kaje' variety of boiled rice, which is grown in Karkala in large quantities. Karla is the Tulu name for Karkala. </p>.<p>Anchoring this campaign to make the Karkala okra and rice popular is BJP legislator V Sunil Kumar. </p>.<p>Growing up to nearly a foot, the white okra grown in and around Karkala is known for its unique taste and size. Similarly, the kaje rice variety is known for its fibre and iron content. </p>.<p>“There are brands such as the Dharwad Pedha and Channapatna toys. We want to create a brand for the 'Karla kaje' variety and 'bili bende' from Karkala,” said Kumar, who is the Karkala MLA and the government’s chief whip.</p>.<p>“About 1.5 years ago, a meeting was held with the farmers of our taluk. It was decided to select two products that can be made into Karkala brands. A committee was formed and it chose the 'Karla kaje' and 'bili bende',” Kimar said, adding that this was a ‘vocal for local’ initiative. </p>.<p>In the last harvest season, farmers cultivated 5,500 quintals of kaje rice, which Kumar said was organic and non-polished. “This time, we plan to cultivate at least 10,500 quintals,” he said. </p>.<p>From June 1, Kumar started distributing the white okra seeds to 20,000 homes in his constituency free of cost.</p>.<p>“The idea is for people to take up agriculture and develop a feeling that bili bende is their brand. Our own people should grow it first, sell it in the local market and then take it to other markets,” he said.</p>.<p>“The bili bende takes 65-70 days to grow. It can be grown on the terrace or the facade. It needs wet waste, spraying of neem oil and minimal water,” Kumar said.</p>.<p>The MLA hopes to see Karla kaje and bili bende varieties become “a formidable brand” in the next 2-3 years and eventually acquire the Geographical Indication tag.</p>
