Mysore/Mysuru: ‘Akkadi’ is a traditional cropping system and a matter of pride for Karnataka. In this system, along with ragi, jowar or groundnut, as many as eighteen crops are cultivated simultaneously.

Popularly known as Navadhanya, this method includes the inter-cropping of traditional pulse varieties such as avare (field bean), toor (pigeon pea), alasande (cowpea) and heasaru (green gram)  along with jowar.

Rich in protein, fibre and micronutrients, pulses contribute significantly to health. Unfortunately, with the advent of hybrid maize, tobacco and other commercial crops, the Akkadi system is disappearing.

To introduce the taste, significance and cultural value of indigenous pulses to the people of Mysuru, Sahaja Samrudha, Sahaja Seeds and Kisan Mall are organising a two-day ‘Desi Dal Mela’ on Apr. 11 and 12 at Nanjaraja Bahaddur Choultry, Mysuru.

Farmer groups from across Karnataka will showcase more than 100 traditional pulse varieties. Visitors can see rare and disappearing varieties such as red pigeon pea, field beans, double beans, different types of avare, multicoloured beans, green and black horse gram, spotted cowpea, horse gram, kidney beans, and black, green, and brown chickpeas.

Medicinally valuable black chickpeas, known to help with kidney stones, will be featured. Small-grain desi red pigeon pea dal, cowpea dal and native green gram dal will also be available.

The two-day fair will be inaugurated by Award-winning film actress Akshata Pandavapura. The Kisan Mall information brochure will be released by Manjunath Angadi, Deputy Director of the Department of Horticulture. Women’s self-help groups from Kundgol and Shiggaon taluks engaged in pulse processing will participate as chief guests.

The Desi Dal Mela will be open to the public from 9 am to 8.30 pm on both days. Entry is free.