Cereal can be grown by farmers as an alternative crop even in drought – Minister Cheluvarayaswamy

Bangalore, January 06 (Karnataka News):

Agriculture Minister Cheluvarayaswamy said that farmers can grow maize as an alternative crop even in drought.

Addressing a press conference at Tripura Vasini Palace Grounds today, the minister said that sorghum can be grown with less water, cost and less days without using pesticides, and farmers can also grow it as an alternative crop during drought. Farmers’ income doubles when more grain is exported. He said that steps will be taken to use rice grains in Indira Canteen, mid-day school meals and Anganwadis.

He said there are total 310 stalls in the exhibition, 190 stalls of organic and cereals companies, marketers, exporters, retailers, farmer groups, provincial unions, organic accessories companies, state and central government departments and other organizations.

100 Karnataka pavilion stalls, 20 food stalls, besides, there will be display of cereal machinery, as well as desi livestock, outside the fair. He said that enough space has been provided for the public to watch the fair peacefully and space has been arranged for rest.

In this fair, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Jharkhand, Tripura, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya, a total of 16 states will participate in the exhibition and teamNavane, spiced bread. He said that products like millet bread, pizza burger, noodles pasta, different types of biscuits, chakkuli, savoury save, soup, millet chicken, modern cereal, brownie, muffins, millet ice cream, millet chocolate, jamunu, which are especially liked by the young generation, were displayed.

He said that B2B meetings of producers and marketers will be organized in the trade fair with the aim of establishing domestic and export market linkages for agriculture and horticulture products grown in the state. 97 marketers/exporters and 154 manufacturers participated in B2B meetings. 07 international marketers, 40 foreign marketers and 50 state marketers will participate in the meetings.Among the international marketers, marketers from Kenya, Kuwait, UAE, Australia, European Union countries participated and the estimated market value was Rs.23.14 crores in 61 meetings, out of which 06 contracts worth Rs.5.10 crores worth 1361 metric tons were signed, he said. Kenya, Kuwait, UAE, Australia, European Union countries will participate in the fair. It will be organized under the title “Transformation into organic and agroecology-based agriculture in Karnataka” by GIZ and IIMR. Around 51 eminent subject experts will deliver lectures in eight sessions. He said 255 representatives including progressive farmers, professors/students of universities and other stakeholders will participate.

International experts from Germany and international organizations such as German consulate, FIBL Switzerland, German International Cooperation (GIZ), German Development Bank (KFW), University of Hohenheim, International Management Water Institute, World Vegetable Center, Demeter International will participate.

A three-day workshop in Kannada lanquage for organic and cereal farmers of the state will be organized by the Research Department of Agricultural Universities. Workshop on organic and cereal experts/experts on organic practices, organic. Subject matter experts lectured on market trends, demand, organic certification process, natural farming, cereals. Cultural programs depicting the diversity of the country will also be held for entertainment in the middle of the sessions in the workshop, he said. 20 different Cereal Hotel/Restaurant outlets have provided an opportunity to the public to relish a variety of delicious Cereal meals and breakfasts. Various vegetarian and non-vegetarian food dishes of cereals are also provided to the public to taste. Also a recipe of dishes that can be prepared in grains for the public who come to watch the fair Demonstration ‘Look learn; It will be broadcasted under the title ‘Madi Thiri: Eat and Savi’. He said that on the first day of the fair, 5000 farmers will be provided free food in a systematic manner.The fair provides a platform for all stakeholders in the organic and cereal sector to share expertise and business practices. More than 60000 public will participate on the first day of the fair. State farmer groups are no private institutions He said that the public who participated in the fair have expressed their opinion that the products are being sold with diversity in the method, packaging design and sales model.