MUMBAI: Did you know that you can avert a farmer's suicide while in the comfort of your homes? There is a wonder grain that grows in the driest of conditions, doesn't require pesticides, can feed his family and give a good return for his investment. Millets are a boon to the farmer and to your health. It isn't called a wonder grain for nothing.
This is about an interesting campaign spearheaded by the Karnataka to promote millets – the super food. The whole idea of this public awareness campaign to bridge the gap between farmers, traders and consumers and help both farmers and consumers in getting reasonable price and cost. The health benefits of organic produce, especially millets in the current phase of development and life style change are very high. They are the best food naturally available to combat the ill effects of refined and junk food.
Krishna ByreGowda, Minister for Agriculture, GOK, indicated the contradictory condition of farmers and seller relating to Organic produce. While the farmers are ready to cultivate organic farming the main constrain is market and getting reasonable price. On one hand farmers are not finding reasonable market on the other hand the consumers are not in a position to buy the same at reasonable price. In order to overcome this issue of getting remunerative market for the farmers and reasonable price for the consumers, Government of Karnataka has promoted 14 District level Organic Federation of the Farmers covering all 30 districts in the State.
A long term business potential worth Rs.100 Crore generated for Farmers at the recently held, National Trade fair - Organics & Millets 2017, Bengaluru. 20 MOUs signed between Marketers and Farmer Federations of Karnataka.
Spearheaded by Gowda, Karnataka is actively working towards highlighting the importance of millets for both consumers and producers, while creating channels to improve the demand and supply of the grains.
The fair also saw a 'Dream tree’ amidst the crowd,holding onto the dreams and expectations that the farmers and consumers alike are leaving with. The Dream Tree was erected on the first day of the fair to capture these dreams so the Government can work to make them a reality.The Dream Tree drew its significance from ancient Indian tradition of tying ‘wishes’ to spiritually significant trees. Here, we look at some of the wishes that people are leaving behind (mostly anonymously) hoping for a healthier future, and empowered farmers.“Farmers need to get a good price for their products. Only when they are empowered, will our nation progress,”says one wish.
