Jointly organised by the department of Agriculture and the district administration, two-day day divisional-level Millet Mela began on Wednesday with district in-charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa emphasising the need for dryland farming and millet cultivation to tide over moisture stress.
After the inauguration of the event Mahadevappa said, “The State government was giving special thrust to millet cultivation given the nutritional value and health benefits of the crop. Excessive use of chemicals in conventional farming had led to an increase in toxicity in food and reduction in nutritional values. Hence, it is imperative to give thrust to organic form of cultivation with focus on millets.”
“Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy and the research findings in laboratories should benefit farmers to help lift them from their financial crisis,” he said.
NGOs and entrepreneurs working on popularising millets demonstrated related technology, including a de-hulling machine, for the benefit of farmers.
More than 50 stalls selling various forms of millets and organic produce have been set up at the mela. Farmers from Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagaram are participating in the two-day event, which is being held at the Bharat Scouts and Guides Grounds.
Different varieties of millet along with organic jiggery were displayed in the mela. The Central Food Technological Research Institute has displayed some of its technological advances in the field of millet cultivation.