Pics: Nayana J C
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Sep 29: A three-day Karnataka State-Level ‘Krishi Habba – Agriculture Festival 2026’, aimed at promoting modern agriculture, agri-entrepreneurship and direct market opportunities for farmers, will be held from October 2 to 4 at Cordel Grounds and Hall, Kulshekar, Mangaluru.
The festival is being organised by Kisan Seva Foundation, with the cooperation of the Karnataka Agriculture and Horticulture Departments and support from various agricultural institutions and organisations. The event will be open to the public from 9.30 am to 8.30 pm on all three days.
Speaking at a press meet in Mangaluru on September 29, Krishi Habba convener and organiser Ashwin Siqueira said the festival would bring farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, agricultural experts, technology providers, nurseries, food entrepreneurs, self-help groups, farmer producer organisations and the general public onto a common platform.
The festival will feature a wide range of attractions, including a Krishi Yantra Mela (agricultural machinery fair), Siri Dhanya Mela (millet fair), plant and nursery exhibition, Jenu Mela (beekeeping fair), farmers’ market, organic farming section, agri-business and MSME exhibition, food fair, and fisheries and aquaculture section.
The organisers said the festival is intended to create awareness about modern agricultural techniques, machinery, organic farming, value-added agricultural products and suitable crops for the region. It will also provide farmers and agri-entrepreneurs with an opportunity to display and directly market their products to consumers.
A key focus of the event will be encouraging youth to explore agriculture as a business and entrepreneurial opportunity, while providing farmers with access to technical guidance, experts and successful farming practices.
The festival will also feature training programmes and interactive sessions conducted with the participation of various departments and institutions of the Government of Karnataka. Sessions will cover topics including prosperous agricultural practices, mixed farming in arecanut cultivation, drip irrigation management, home gardening, watershed management, value-added fish products and entrepreneurship, and beekeeping as a means of self-reliance.
On October 2, the stalls will be inaugurated at 11 am, followed by a technical session on ‘Busy Life, Healthy Food’ from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm. The formal inaugural function will be held at 5.30 pm, with Karnataka Health minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister U T Khader and Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath among the dignitaries expected to attend.
On October 3, sessions from 10.30 am will include ‘Prosperous Agriculture Practices’, led by Dr Honnappa Gowda, joint director, Department of Agriculture, Dakshina Kannada, and his team; ‘Mixed Farming in Arecanut Cultivation’, by progressive farmer Chandrashekhar Bhat of Panja, Uppinangady; and ‘Drip Irrigation Management in Agriculture’, by Abhijith of Kisan Agro Tools, Puttur. A session on ‘Home Garden Revolution’, led by Anamika Bhat of Savayava Krishika Balaga, Mangaluru, will be held from 3 pm to 5 pm.
On October 4, the morning sessions will focus on the role of farmers in watershed management, led by Praveen, senior assistant director, Department of Horticulture, and value-added fish products and entrepreneurship opportunities, led by Dr Manju Naik, professor and head, Department of Fish Processing Technology, College of Fisheries, Mangaluru. A session on ‘Self-Reliance Through Beekeeping: Products, Marketing and Business Opportunities’ will be held at 4 pm, with state-level beekeeping trainer Kodi Radhakrishna Bhatampady as the speaker.
The festival has received support from organisations including KAPPEC, SKDRDP Trust, Ivory Grandis, ONGC/MRPL, Hangyo Ice Cream Pvt Ltd, Jain Irrigation Systems, Dakshina Kannada Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union (Nandini), Padmashree Group and CAMPCO, along with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, College of Fisheries, Mangaluru, and Savayava Krishika Grahaka Balaga.
The event is being organised with the cooperation of Rotary Club of Mangalore Central and Rotary International. Those present at the press meet included Rotarian Deviprasad Shetty, Rotarian Rajesh Shetty, Rotarian Jackson Saldanha, Riyon Maben, Rotarian Bhaskar Rai and co-convener Rotarian Sheldon Crasta.
The organisers have invited farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, students, youth, self-help groups, farming organisations and the public to participate in the three-day festival and make use of the agricultural exhibitions, product stalls, demonstrations, expert interactions and training programmes.