Pics : Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)
Mangaluru, May 21: Minister for fisheries, sports and youth affairs, Abhayachandra Jain inaugurated the exhibition and sale of various fruits, Vasanthothsava at Pilikula Nisargadhama today.
Speaking on the occasion the chairman of the state mango development board Kamalakshi Rajanna said, "The board has organised 'mango melas' at 20 districts of Karnataka in the coming days. The main aim of the melas is to provide one to one trade between the customer and the farmer and also to provide value to the crop. We have organised the melas in other states as well,"
"The state produces about 1-12 lac tonnes of mangoes in an area of 2 lac hectare annually. Even so, the board has introduced various projects to popularise it. Farmers can make the best use of this platform and the various subsidies provided by the board." She added.
Speaking on the occasion, the managing director of Pilikula Nisargadhama, Dr Prabhakar Sharma said, "There are many breeds of mangoes and other fruits which are on the verge of vanishing. There is need to conserve them and create awareness among the current and the next generation."
ZP CEO Srividya, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, Dr Chandrakanth Chowta, president of DK Kannada Sahitya Parishad Pradeep Kumar Kalkura and others were present.
Vasanthothsava will be open to the public till May 22 evening with varieties of various fruits of regional origin on display.
There is also a competition for growers of the largest mango, pineapple and jackfruit that has been organised.