Karnataka made Rs 170 crore in revenue from the international millet and organics fair. The three-day Nutra-cereals expo highlighted the importance of traditional superfoods to nourish future generations.
The event’s goal was to ensure that millet and organic products reach consumers while also providing a remunerative market for farmers.
N Cheluvarayaswamy, Karnataka’s agriculture minister, said that the revenues generated include B2B deals worth Rs 150 crores and transactions at stalls worth Rs 20 crores.
B2B agreements involved a total of 17,192 tonnes of goods. The trade fair saw 213 B2B business meetings and the signing of 41 letters of intent/MoUs.
All millets were covered, including foxtail millets, Indian Barnyard Millets, Kodo Millets, Brown-top Millets, and proso millets. The fair also included Byadagi chilies, spices, jaggery organic, turmeric powder, and organic vegetables. The fair saw a great demand for millet value-added items like cookies, malts, and millet powder, as well as ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat items.
Over the three-day event, there were at least two lakh visitors. The event also featured delegates from different countries, including Australia, the UAE, Kenya, and Kuwait.
The fair featured 310 stalls in total, 100 of which were located under the Karnataka Pavilion and were dedicated to FPOs, FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisations), and research institutes. The fair also featured 35 start-ups in the millets and organics industry.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced at the inauguration that millets will be introduced to Indira Canteens, as well as mid-day meals for schools, Anganwadi, and public distribution systems. A meeting of officials from the Departments of Food, Agriculture, Education, RDPR, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, and Municipalities will be held soon to discuss the modalities of introduction of millets.
Cheluvarayaswamy, who addressed the fair’s valedictory ceremony, said that 51 subject experts delivered lectures at the fair.
D K Shivakumar, Karnataka’s deputy chief minister, appreciated and hoped millets and organic farming methods would be a solution for the country’s problems with water and soil fertility.
Krishna Byre Gowda, Revenue Minister of Karnataka, remarked that the state was also emerging as the capital of organics and millets in addition to its position as a hub for IT and BT.