From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Apr 29: Known for its innovative and pioneering efforts, Karnataka has come up with its own indigenous Organics and Millets Brands –Shresta Karnataka (for organic produce) and Siri Karnataka (for millets) at Day Two of Consumer Connect Programme held at the National Organic and Millets Trade Fair 2017 in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Karnataka’s Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda along with farmers from various Organic Federations launched Karnataka’s own brands to cater to the needs of the Gen Next for healthy and organic food.

The Brand Siri Karnataka, launched by the Government of Karnataka will now ensure that the poor man’s food becomes the rich man’s savior nationally and internationally. 

‘Siri Karnataka’ was selected keeping in mind the richness of millets to human health and wellness. 

The Organic Brand created for the regional federations is ‘Shresta Karnataka.’ 

The brand name was selected keeping in mind the importance of organic farming practices to nature, the environment and ecology.

“In view of market linkage between farmers and marketers, and in order to align with the changing market dynamics and to reach wider sections of society through building product identity, Siri Karnataka and Shreshta Karnataka have been created for the regional federations and the product value chain. 

This would facilitate the organized marketing of these high quality food items” said Krishna Byre Gowda.

“We will train farmer groups on grading, packing & quality aspects. This is a big step towards “From farmers to consumers” direct linkage,’’ he said.

Karnataka possibly has the largest numbers of organic farmers and Organic Farms. 

However, the brand name can be used by only by those farmers who are certified or under the certification process. 

While the farmers have already converted to organic, they are watched over three years so that there is no chemical residue in the soil and the products are organic as per regulation norms and even global standards. Only after three years (IC 1, IC 2, IC 3) are they certified fully organic. 

Karnataka has the most stringent certification norms of all states.

There is a growing endorsement and acknowledgement of the benefits of organic produce and products by nutritionists, doctors and home makers.

Given this organic upswing, Shresta Karnataka and Siri Karnataka will be the best source of good health for the Indian kitchen and families nationally, the minister said.

The farming federations of Karnataka, who engage in organic farming practices and the cultivation of millets, will be offered the usage of these brands to market their products and also earn better incomes through value added products that could be marketed under these brand names. 

These brands would also appeal to the sensitivities of health conscious customers who have an affinity to consuming organic food products and millets, the minister explained.

Next Gen Food Start-ups, Big Organized and Progressive retailers can get in touch with the Organic cell that is running this program, who are just the catalyst who will facilitate a transparent and clean transaction. 

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 & Millet farmers have been organized into 14 Regional Federations. They produce wide ranging variety of organic & 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 State’s Department of Agriculture, 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.