Melas
Melas are promotional campaigns that are held throughout the year in different parts of the state. Such events are held mainly to popularize and inclusion of traditional varieties of food crops into our daily diet. Several - ORGANIC MELAS, SAFE FOOD MELAS, SIRIDHANYA OR MILLET MELAS AND RED RICE MELAS are conducted to bring in awareness to the urban consumers on the rich heritage of crops that are in our state and also on the health issues and how consumption of these foods can lower cholesterol, diabetics, reduce cancer risk and are effective in preventing/managing lifestyle diseases.
INDIA FOR SAFE FOOD campaign against toxic agri-inputs launched Bangalore, saw the mobilization of a movement against the negative impacts of chemical pesticides and other toxic inputs in our food and farming, and advocating a shift towards ecological farming called INDIA FOR SAFE FOOD, which was launched by ASHA (Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture). Safe Food mela had more than 20 organic outlets in the city set up their stalls, The red rice heritage of Karnataka was popularized by conducting several red rice melas throughout the state. The popularization of red rice and inclusion of them into our daily diet was central focus of such Melas. Red rice being the store houses of nutrients are miles ahead of polished rice but still an ignored food crop. Now consumers are starting to understand and accept unpolished rice as being healthier for them as opposed to the 'polished' rice. Even though it lacks the eye-appeal of white rice, unpolished traditional rice is still being accepted as the healthier rice.
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Millet Mela
MILLETS BACK IN THE MEAL...
Popularistation of Millets being the sole focus of these neglected crops was the centre stage of the 'Siri Dhanya Mela'. Such melas conducted throughout the state has witnessed the inclusion of millets into the daily diet of people.
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Producer Meet
Producer Meets are held every year and the purpose of this convention is to equip organic producers with local marketing initiatives & strategies; create awareness on domestic organic market; Improvise quality products and packaging; develop pricing policy with stakeholder's consent and financial assistance for willing individuals and groups for promotion of value added products. The 2-day meeting cum workshop program was in collaboration with NABARD. The meeting gave participants the opportunity to share experiences on production and participative research, to inform themselves about company activities, organic market initiatives.