Hubballi :

The Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), in collaboration with Dharwad Horticulture Department and Karnataka State Spice Products Development Board, will organize a three day “Chilli Mela” at Murusavir mutt from February 7.

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Vasantha Ladawa, president of KCCI, Hubballi, said that the main objective of the event is to provide chilli at reasonable prices and provide a platform to farmers sell their items directly to consumers.

He said that farmers from Dharwad, Gadag, and other districts of North Karnataka would participate in the mela. About 150 shops, displaying different varieties of chilli, would be set up at the mela. Ladawa said that about 150 tonnes of chilli is expected to be sold at the event.

I K Doddamani, deputy director of Dharwad Horticulture Department, said that all measures have been taken to end the menace of middlemen who harass farmers. “Farmers can register by producing their land records or identity cards,” he said.

Horticulture minister Shamanuru Shivashankrappa will inaugurate the mela. Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar, district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundurao and MP Pralhad Joshi will be present at the inaugural ceremony.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> City> Hubballi / TNN / February 06th, 2015