Pics by : Jeevan Dcosta
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Brahmavar, May 31: Brahmavar played host to a vibrant celebration of agriculture with the inauguration of the Jackfruit and Fruit Fair at Samudaya Bhavana on Friday, May 31.
District Governor Rotarian B. M Bhat, along with Rotarian Uday Kumar, president of Rotary Club Brahmavar, and Fr M C Mathai, vicar general of S M S Orthodox Syrian Church Brahmavar, led the inaugural ceremony.
The event was organised in collaboration with Rotary Club Brahmavar, South Canara Photographers Association, Vijaya Gramina Abhivrudhi Prathishtana Mangaluru, and Bank of Baroda, Udupi. Also involved were Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Science, Shivamogga, ICAR Agricultural Science Centre, Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Centre, Brahmavar, and Diploma College of Agriculture, Brahmavar.
Rotarian B M Bhat expressed his admiration, stating, "This magnificent jackfruit fair reminds me of the recent International Rotary Conference held in Singapore. I congratulate all for hosting such a big event. Initially, the event was a one-day fair and now it has extended to a three-day fair."
P Vidhyadar Shetty, deputy regional officer at Bank of Baroda, Udupi branch, shared his delight, saying, "Due to urbanisation, it is hard to find jackfruits. I am happy that Bank of Baroda is one of the sponsors for such a wonderful event. I am glad to be a part of this mega event and wish you a grand success."
Fr M C Mathai emphasised the importance of events like these in supporting farmers. "India is an agrarian country and agriculture is our backbone. Events like these are the support that we give to farmers. It started three years ago here. It started as a one-day program and in its second year, it became a two-day event. I am happy that its success has become so popular that this year it is a three-day event."
The fair aimed to encourage and support farmers by allowing them to sell their products directly to customers. Various items ranging from tasty cuisine to mangoes and jackfruits were sold at reasonable prices.
The programme was hosted by Alwyn Andrade, President of S.K.P.A, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada District, Brahmavar Zone, while Dr Dhananjay, head of Agricultural Science Centre, Brahmavar, welcomed the gathering. Two progressive farmers were honoured during the event.
Among the attendees were Dr K T Gurumurthy, director of extension, KSNUAHS, Eruvakki, Shivamogga, Padmaraj Jain, District president, S K P A, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district, Dr Lakshman, associate research director of Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Centre, Dr K V Sudir Kamath, principal of Diploma College of Agriculture, Sathish Kumar Shetty, member of VRDF, Mangaluru, Sachin Hegde, executive officer of VRDF, Mangaluru, and others.