From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 15: Deputy chief minister and Ramanagara district in-charge Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan held talks with sericulture and horticulture minister Dr K C Narayana Gowda on the establishment of world-class Hi-Tech silk market and mango processing plants in Ramanagar district.

The discussion between the deputy chief minister and horticulture minister was held in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Tender has already been called for the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the development of the silk market.

The proposed silk market will be developed in an 11-acre plot of land between Ramanagar and Channapatna which has already been earmarked for this. For this project, NABARD will provide a loan of Rs 50 crore.

Dr Ashwath Narayan said the state government will not be investing in this project.

The purchasing centres for silk crossbreed and superior bivoltine cocoons will be set up separately in this marketplace.

Banking facilities along with lodging for farmers coming to the market at night will also be developed in the new marketplace.

The deputy chief minister said he has discussed these aspects with the minister.

He said data of the silk farmers and cocoons will be collected from those who come to the new market to sell silk. This will enable easy and comprehensive access to the data regarding the farmers who produce the best cocoons.

Mango Processing Unit:

The sericulture department has agreed to hand over 25 acres of land under its control to the horticulture department for a mango processing plant to be built using latest technology near Kailancha village in Ramanagar Taluk.

This matter was also finalized during talks between the deputy chief minister and the horticulture minister.

Dr Ashwath Narayan said the horticulture department secretary Rajendra Kumar Kataria has initiated the land transfer process today and it has got the full cooperation of the horticulture minister.