Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy, in a recent press briefing, highlighted the fair's objectives, emphasizing its pivotal role in amplifying both production and export endeavors concerning millet products in the upcoming years. "The fair serves a dual purpose of boosting production while also enhancing public awareness regarding the manifold health benefits of millets," the minister affirmed.
Statistics revealed by the minister indicated that millet exports amounted to an impressive Rs 36 crore during the 2022-23 period. Presently cultivated across approximately 15.61 hectares of land in the state, millet growers are being incentivized with a Rs 10,000 subsidy per hectare, an initiative aimed at fortifying the growth of this sector, as shared by the minister.
Eyeing substantial growth, the government is fervently striving to amplify millet exports by two to threefold within the next year. Minister Cheluvarayaswamy attributed the current elevated market prices of millets to their relatively low production volume, underlining the pressing need for increased cultivation.
The inauguration of the fair, slated for January 5 at 11 am, will witness the esteemed presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Accompanying him will be Union Ministers Nirmala Sitaraman and Shobha Karandlaje, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and several other dignitaries, further underscoring the significance of this event.
About Millets & Organics International Trade Fair -2024
This fifth edition of the Millets and Organics International Trade Fair, organized by the Government of Karnataka's Department of Agriculture, aims to serve as a pivotal platform facilitating interactions among farmers, farmer groups, domestic and international companies, as well as central and state institutions. The focus areas encompass a wide spectrum ranging from Agri-horticulture to processing, machinery, and Agri-technology.
Karnataka's leadership in promoting organics and millets is underscored by the sequential editions of this fair, commencing with the inaugural event in 2017 and subsequently continuing with successful editions in 2018, 2019, and the most recent one in 2023, all hosted in Bengaluru. This commitment reflects the state's unwavering dedication to nurturing and enhancing its agricultural landscape, propelling it into a promising future.
