Millets & Organics – International Trade Fair[ ITF ] 2023 to be held in Namma BENGALURU:20-23 Jan

 Millets & Organics – "International Trade Fair 2023” will be held from 20-22 January 2023 at Tripuravasini, Palace Ground, Bengaluru.

 

This was announced at a press conference attended by Hon’ble Minister Shri BC Patil(seen in photo below) who is also the Chairman, International Trade Fair on Millets and Organics – 2023.

                                            

                                                     

Over the last few years, the world has witnessed a sea change in the way people live. Post pandemic, people have become more conscious of healthy food and lifestyle and are switching to healthier diets and general well being. As the world looks for new choices in healthy and sustainable food, Millets and Organics, the traditional food that has been grown and consumed over the ages, is fast emerging as the preferred diet.  

Karnataka has been a frontrunner in promoting organics and millets nationally and globally. The Government held three successful events in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The fourth edition of this mega event, “Millets & Organics – International Trade Fair 2023” will be held from 20-22 January 2023 at Tripuravasini, Palace Ground, Bengaluru. The Trade Fair is organized by Dept. of Agriculture, Govt. of Karnataka in collaboration with KAPPEC and ICCOA as the Knowledge Partner.

As a precursor to the main event, a Roadshow and Press Meet was held at Hotel

Shangri –la on 5 January 2023.

Highlights of the Roadshow and Press Meet

 Mr Noor Samad Abbalagere anchored the programme

 Mr G T Putra, Director of Agriculture, welcomed the dignitaries and participants

 The event was inaugurated by lighting the lamp, Honourable Minister for

Agriculture, Shri B C Patil and dignitaries on the dais, Commissioner of

Agriculture Shri Sharath B, Commissioner, Agriculture, Shri G. T. Putra, Director

of Agriculture, Shri Virupakshappa, Manager, KAPPEC, Shri Manoj Kumar

Menon, ICCOA- International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture. Shri

Ravindra, Regional Manager, APEDA, Shri B Y Srinivas, Director, WDD, Shri

Padmaiah Nayak, Director, Antaragange, Shri Parvez Bantanal, Managing

Director, KAPPEC.

The Honourable Minister for Agriculture, in his address spoke about the Millets and

Organics International Trade Fair being organized at Tripuravasini, Bengaluru from

20 -22 January 2023. He informed that the event will be inaugurated by the

Honourable Chief Minister, Shri Basavaraj Bommai and several Central Ministers will

participate in the event. The total area for the fair is around 15,770 sq metres.

The three day mega fair will have these main components

1. Exhibition

There will be more than 300 stalls in the exhibition with over 78 companies have already booked 218 stalls and have a wide range of products in the millets, organics and naturals spheres

• Wide range of millet products
• Spices & herbs
• Fresh fruits & vegetables
• Oil seeds, nuts, dry fruits, coconut
• Organic cereals & pulses
• Certified wild harvest produce
• Organic livestock products-Dairy, poultry, honey
• Organic textiles, cosmetics, personal care items
• Millet processing machinery
• Bio- degradable packaging
• Eco-friendly products

 

2. International pavilion

An exclusive international pavilion with participation from organisations like IFOAM International, Germany, IFOAM - South Korea, companies in the organic trade from UK, Malaysia, Uganda and Netherlands.

3. International Conference

Conference on the theme, “Millets, Organics & Natural Farming: Opportunities amidst Challenges” including key note addresses and panel discussions. Speakers include experts from Government, development organisations, universities, institutions. Among these, there are 6 international experts sharing their experience and knowledge from a global perspective.

 

4. Farmers Workshop

The Farmers’ workshop will be in Kannada and SAU scientists will speak to farmers about the latest developments, best practices and technology in the organics, millets and natural farming sectors.

5. Millet & Organic Food Court

Millet delicacies, traditional foods using organic ingredients, freshly prepared dishes, sweets snacks, savouries, foods like pizza and burger with a healthy twist with millets

Organic and millets are future foods that are healthier and tastier to replace junk food.

6. Buyer – seller meets 

Wholesale and bulk buyers across India and other countries directly connect with farmers/ producers to facilitate trade deals and new market opportunities including exports.

To promote millet cultivation, Karnataka has started Raita Siri scheme in 2019-20 and gave Rs

10000/- per hectare for millet farmers and this year Rs 6000/-per hectare is released.

7. The Karnataka Pavilion

This will showcase the smart agricultural policies, practices, technology, varied agro climates and soil of the state which makes Karnataka not just a producer, but the enabler of Next Gen Smart Food, new businesses, technology, producers, consumers and markets.

This Trade Fair will be a common meeting place for organic networks from across the world besides being a platform to share expertise, knowledge and business practices. For Karnataka, it would offer the apt opportunity for stakeholders to showcase their Millet and organic produce, the diversity and the overall competence of farmers and farming groups.

Shri B.C.Patil(Hon'ble Minister for Agriculture,Govt of Karnataka) lighting the traditional lamp;seen with other Dignitaries at the Press Conference held on 5.1.2023 at the Shangri-La Hotel:Curtain-raiser of ITF 2023(to be held Jan 20-22,2023 at Tripuravasini,Palace Grounds in Namma BENGALURU)

Millet Walkathon:

In the run-up to the main event, to spread awareness about millets and engage the public

“Millet Walkathon” is organised on 14 January 2023 near Cubbon Park. The minister asked

the public to participate in large numbers and make the event successful.

The Central Government has agreed to release Rs 25crore for establishing the Millet

Incubation Centre in University of Agriculture Sciences, Raichur

 The website of the MOITF was launched - https://itf2023.organics-millets.in/

 The Honourable Minister for Agriculture, Shri B C Patil released the video bytes

from prominent personalities from Literateur Shri Doddarange Gowda, Film actor

and Brand Ambassador of Karnataka Agriculture Deparment, Shri Darshan,

Kannada Film director, Shri Yogaraj Bhat, and sports person, Shri Pramila

Ayyappa.

 Shri Virupakshappa, Chairman, KAPPEC

Post independence, the Green Revolution focused on high yielding and

hybrid crops, with high usage of fertilizers and pesticides, which was inevitable.

But in the present circumstances, it is imperative to switch to a healthy society with

nutritious and safe food. And the MOITF will provide the impetus for this.

Shri B Sharat, Commissioner for Agriculture

India popularized yoga from the Vedic times in the entire world. Now, in the same way,

it is time for India to take the lead to spread awareness about the importance of millets

to the world. Millets are cultivated with very less or almost nil usage of fertilizers. This

not only helps in food security but also nutrition security.

Shri Manoj Kumar Menon, Executive Director, ICCOA (Knowledge partner)

He spoke about the promotions in various international forums like Biofach, Germany,

UN Agencies like FAO, WFP and IFAD. The curtain raiser during Jaivik India Awards in

Agra, roadshows in Delhi and Mumbai. The enthusiasm of the exhibitors was evident in

the number of bookings already done and there are only few stalls left. There was also

a detailed presentation on the other components for people to be involved.

Other information

 Shri Jayaswamy, Joint Director Agriculture, Central Office

On 11 January 2023 a Smart Food Culinary Symposium will be held at M S Ramaiah

Institute to encourage young Chefs and to create awareness on millet and organic

recipes and foods.

Millet Walkathon on 14 January 2023 at Cubbon Park at 6 am

 Smt Sundaravalli, Mount Carmel

 Panel discussion on millet dishes and recipes using organic ingredients to be held at Hotel 

Radisson Blu Atria, on 12 January 2023

 Shri Parvez Banthanal proposed the vote of thanks to all the participants, Press

and officials from various organizations.

For more info/details,please visit/peruse:

https://itf2023.organics-millets.in