In a first of its kind, Karnataka has launched its own organic and millets brands to cater to the growing demand for millets. Sresta Karnataka (for organic produce) and Siri Karnataka (for millets) were launched by the government along with various organic federations in the State during the National Organic and Millets Trade Fair 2017 here on Saturday.

The brand names can be used only by those farmers who are certified or under the certification process for their products, Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said during the launch. “While many farmers have already shifted to organic, they will be watched for three years so that there is no chemical residue found in their soil, and their products are organic as per regulation norms and global standards,” he said. Only after three years (IC 1, IC 2, IC 3) are they certified fully organic, as Karnataka has “the most stringent certification norms” compared to other States, he added.

Siri Karnataka was selected keeping in mind the richness of millets to human health and wellness.

The organic brand created for the regional federations is Sresta Karnataka. The brand-name was selected keeping in mind the importance of organic farming practices to nature, the environment, and ecology. Indicating that the move will facilitate organised marketing of these quality food items, the Minister said farmer groups will be trained on grading, packing, and quality aspects.

“This is a big step towards taking products from farmers to consumers for direct linkages,” he said. Brands — Siri Karnataka and Sresta Karnataka— were launched by 14 farmer federations representatives along with industry leaders Varun Berry, MD, Britannia Industries, Sanjay Malpani, VP, Future Foods, Hemanth Mallik, CEO- Foods, ITC, Sheshukumar, Big Basket, and Varun Gupta,CEO, Pro Nature. Next gen food startups, big organised and progressive retailers can get in touch with the organic cell that is running this programme, who will facilitate the transaction.

The fair is organised by the Department of Agriculture, Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited (KAPPEC), State agricultural universities, and the Jaivik Krishik Society.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / April 30th, 2017