Mysuru: “Today’s generation of children are familiar with only a handful of exotic greens, but have no knowledge of native leafy vegetables. Parents must introduce their children to the culture, diversity and culinary traditions of greens,” said M. Shivakumar, a resource person from Azim Premji Foundation.

He was speaking after distributing prizes to the winners of drawing competition organised as part of 2-day Leafy Greens Fair (Soppu Mela) at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry in city recently under the aegis of Sahaja Samrudha, Hulikadu Farmers Producer Company and ICAR–JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur.

In the drawing competition on greens, 35 children participated and portrayed the world of greens through colours.

The winners are: M. Pranati (first), Adya Srivatsa (second), B. Punardatta (third),  K.A. Sharvika and R. Kushal (both consolation prizes).

The competition was judged by M. Shivakumar and natural farmer Srivatsa Govindaraju.

The ‘Leafy Greens Cooking Competition’ held as part of the fair also received an excellent response. 36 participants presented a variety of dishes made from greens.  The chocolate made from garike grass (Bermuda grass) by Poojashree, a first year commerce student of SDM College, won everyone’s appreciation.

More than 100 dishes were presented, including Palak Pakoda, Dodda Patre Pulao, Sabbasige Puri Unde, Kumbala Soppu Sambar, Soppina Rotti and Dodda Patre Bajji.

The winners of the cooking competition are: Pushpa Parashurama (first), Kripalini (second), Nagamani Virupaksha (third), Shivamma and Poojashree (both consolation prizes).

The competition was judged by Dr. Jamuna Urs (retired scientist), Padma and Dr. Divya from Suttur Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

The two-day Greens Fair turned out to be a great success in attracting people. Consumers were delighted to see greens they had never seen before, taste dishes prepared from them, and purchase the greens.

Farmers, who came from Heggadadevanakote, Kanakapura, Kundagol and Kollegal sold out all the greens they had brought.

Murulidhar Gungurmale, known for his initiative “Ajjiya Madilu, Soppina Kadalu” (Grandmother’s Lap, Ocean of Greens), provided information on the importance of different types of greens.