From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Apr 28: Karnataka’s Organic Farming Policy Karnataka 2004 is proposed to be revised to enable the next level of development in the sector and a new Karnataka Organic Farming Policy 2017 will be launched soon, Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda announced in Bengaluru on Friday.

The revised policy aims to bring organic farming into the mainstream and transform Karnataka’s agriculture into a sustainable remunerative and respectable occupation enabling production of safe and nutritious food by promoting eco-friendly and holistic organic farming and marketing systems, he minister said at the inaugural function of the three-day National Trade Fair on Organics and Millets 2017.

“Bangalore is now the millet capital of India. Farmers have enormous potential to adopt the organic culture and cultivate organic produce; however the problem they face is getting good market prices. Hence, through various federations, as the way forward, we have been pushing farmers to aggregate their produce, package and retail the same,’’ he said.

In fact, Big Basket, a leading online grocery store has signed up with a number of farmers to sell their produce via the Big Basket platform, he said.

“We urge all companies to use the National Trade Fair – Organics & Millets 2017, as a platform to connect with farmers over the next 3 days to create a holistic win-win situation for all,’’ Byregowda said.

Ananth Kumar, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, said organics and millets should rise above politics. 

“Bangalore has been known to be the silicon valley of India.  ITBT capital, aerospace capital, healthcare capital. I am extremely happy with Mr. Krishn Byre Gowda’s endeavor to make Bengaluru the Millet Capital of India. I propose we take this imitative as a national mission with participation from all states; the central Government will form a committee with Ms. Nirmala Seetharam, Ramvillas Paswan and other thought leaders including Mr. Krishna Byre Gowda and Sompal Shastry,’’ he said.

He said that he was an avid fan of organics and millets and has made it a part of his daily lifestyle and consuming for the past few years.

“We have witnessed a tremendous growth in the agriculture sector over the last 6.5 decades but have not yet been able to capitalize fully on the same and address the farmer’s areas of concern. Thus, the National Trade Fair – Organics & Millets 2017, is a catalyst between companies and farmers to boost their moral and aid them in efficiently cultivating and retailing their produce, said D. V. Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Union Chemicals and Fertilisers and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar, along with Krishna Byre Gowda, D V Sadananda Gowda, and H.K. Patil, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Govt of Karnataka, inaugurated the 3-day mega ‘National Trade Fair–Organics & Millets 2017’ at Palace Grounds, Bangalore. 

At the inauguration, Krishna Byre Gowda, also released a ‘Millet recipe book’ to promote the health benefits of millet consumption.

Dr C.N. Ashwath Narayan, MLA, Malleshwaram, Sompal Shastri, Former Minister of state for Agriculture , Govt. of India, Avinash K. Srivastava, IAS-Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India, Devendra Kumar Singh, IAS-Chairman, APEDA, S.S. Mallikarjun, Minister for Horticulture & Agriculture Marketing, Hari Menon, Co-founder andbCEO, Big Basket, G.B Satish, IFS, COMISSIONER, Dept of Agriculture, B.Y.Srinivas, Director, Dept of Agriculture, M C Dinesh, Sr. Vice President, FKCCI, Thyagu Valliappa-President, BCIC, R. Shivakumar, Chairman, ASSOCHAM, Karnataka Chapter,  Ramachandra Gowda,  MLC, B.S Suresh, MLC, graced the occasion with their presence.

Maheshwar Rao, Secretary Department of Agriculture said, there has been a tremendous growth in the organic food sector. There is currently a produce of 271 million in the state. Good quality seeds and better chemicals have increased the growth of millets by 20-25 % over the last 4 to 5 years. 

“The interest in millets rose partly due to a rise in lifestyle related ailments, coupled with an increase in the awareness and desire for a balanced diet. Healthy living and eating has been gaining priority leading to a massive growth in the agriculture sector, which is set to grow from 500 million to 1.3 billion in the next 4 years. Karnataka was the first state to formulate the Karnataka Organic Farming Policy in 2004 and currently has over 93,000 hectares for organic farming as compared to 2,500 hectares in 2004,’’ he said.

The ‘National Trade Fair – Organics & Millets 2017’ is a national conference and exposition on vista of opportunities in agriculture and horticulture, processing and marketing. The event offers an excellent opportunity for farmers, buyers, sellers, exporters of organic produce and millets. 

This fair also facilitates organic product processors, manufacturers of farm equipment and others to showcase their respective products and expertise in organic and millet related areas. The fair serves as an important confluence for all organic stakeholders for the promotion of trade, sharing information and knowledge about organic agribusiness. 

In Karnataka, Organic and Millet farmers have been organized into 14 Regional Federations. They produce wide ranging variety of organic and millet crops. This trade fair is an easy platform to connect with this wide producer base. It is a one stop opportunity to source your requirement of organic and millet crops.

The National Trade fair Organics & Millets 2017, is organized by the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Karnataka, Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited (KAPPEC), State Agricultural Universities and Jaivik Krishik Society. International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA) is the Knowledge Partner to showcase the event effectively.