Mysuru: A three-day ‘Sasya Santhe’ organised by Karnataka State Horticulture Development Agency began at the Curzon Park, near the Mysore Palace here this morning.

This is the monsoon season and it is the right time to plant saplings and this exhibition-cum-sale is organised for the farmers and even the public to buy saplings of their choice.

Horticulture Department Mysuru Division Joint Director H.M. Nagaraj inaugurated the Santhe and asked the farmers to make use of the opportunity to buy saplings which are at very affordable costs and plant it in their farm lands.  

Some of the varieties on display and sale include mango, sapota, jackfruit, guava, lemon, bettada nellikai (gooseberry) drumstick, betel leaf, betel nut, curry leaves, mallige and a few ornamental plants.

The saplings are all being sold at very affordable rates. A small bag of sapota sapling costs Rs.32, big bag Rs. 38, papaya small Rs. 10, big Rs.35, betel nuts all varieties Rs.15 and Rs.20, mango-badami variety Rs.32 and Rs.36, raspuri, mallika and others Rs.30 and Rs.35, curry leaves Rs.10, lemon plant Rs.20, lemon seeds Rs. 12, drumstick Rs.8, jamun Rs. 30 and Rs.35, tamarind Rs.22 and Rs. 27, seethapala Rs.25 and Rs. 32, betel leaf Rs.10 to name a few.

There are 21 nurseries in Mysuru District where these saplings are also sold. A few of the farmers and also those having small gardens visited the exhibition. A resident of Vijayanagar 3rd Stage, speaking to Star of Mysore, said that she bought curry leaves and lime saplings as the ones she had planted had died of some diseases. 

The public and the farmers should visit the Sasya Santhe for the sheer variety it offers, said another green thumb expert who had just bought betel leaf sapling.

Horticulture Department Deputy Director K. Rudresh, Senior Assistant Director Habeeba Nishath and others were present on the occasion.