Mysuru: ‘Savayava Santhe’ (Organic Fair), organised by Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and Janachethan Trust at Puttaraja Gawai Stadium in J.P. Nagar here this morning, received good response from public. The Fair was held between 6 am and 11 am. Hundreds of buyers, morning joggers, walkers from nearby J.P. Nagar and surrounding areas thronged the Santhe. They bought various organic products including vegetables, millets and herbal juices.

Nearly 14 regional Organic Farmer Groups Federation of Mandya, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts kept their products for sale. Products included organic rice such as Rajamudi, Kempakki (red rice), Sannavalli, Sona, Kuchchalakki (boiled rice) and  other products such as avalakki (beaten rice), pulses, jaggery, sugar, honey, coconut oil, herbal shampoo, soaps and dry fruits.

They also displayed fruits including sapota (chikkus), bananas, banana stalk, onion, garlic, pepper, ginger, turmeric, clove, cardamom and cinnamon.

People purchased millets such as Saame (Little millet), Navane (Foxtail millet), Sajje (Pearl millet), Baragu (Proso millet), Oodhalu (Barnyard millet), Ragi (Finger millet) and their products like Saame Payasa and more; Organic vegetables including tomato, lady’s finger, Coccinia (tonde), ridge gourd, brinjal, cucumber, basale, root vegetables and varieties of green leaves.

Sprouts: Sprouted green and chana grams, which are excellent source of low-fat protein and fibre, rich in digestive enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, were in high demand and were sold out within a few hours of opening of the Fair. The display of groundnut, sun flower and safflower oil, extracted from applying traditional method by Sadhanahalli-based farmer was a major attraction. A litre of ground nut oil was sold for Rs.220 and saffflower oil for Rs.265.        

Herbal juices: The other main attraction at the Fair was the herbal juices exhibited by Mysuru-based Yasasvi Herbal Products. Hundreds of people enjoyed juices prepared from grass, thulsi, mint and curry leaves. A small cup of this juice was sold at Rs.10 and big cup at Rs.20.

Prof. A. Latha, native of Kodagu, who heads Yasasvi Products, said that there is a huge demand for these products as there is a lot of health benefits — it increases metabolism, helps in weight loss, maintain Blood Pressure and Diabetes and also cures cancer.

City-based Deepa Patil and A.K. Patil couple, who hails from Gokak of Belagavi, also sold herbal juices. They sold juices prepared from Indian Gooseberry and Ashwagandha. They said that they have been continuing the tradition followed by the last three generations.

Swadeshi Jagaran Manch State Convener N.R. Manjunath said that they have been holding this Organic Fair every year with main objective of encouraging organic farming and to get decent price for organic products when the distressed farmers were committing suicides. There has been huge demand for organic products among health-conscious people across the globe. Producers can sell their products directly to consumers. The Trust is creating marketing opportunities by holding Organic Fairs, he said.

Lokesh, a farmer from Pandavapura, who displayed his products at the Fair, told SOM that he wanted the Trust to organise such Fairs every week as it helps organic growers besides stopping the intervention of middlemen or commission     agents in APMC Markets and Raitha Santhe.

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