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Bengaluru: Anganwadi kids to get protein-rich millets

Over 150 companies from across the country have confirmed their participation and over 250 stalls would be put up.

Bengaluru: Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said there was a proposal to supply millets to anganwadis to increase the nutrition levels of children studying at these institutions.

Addressing a news conference here on Monday, the minister said millets were richer in protein compared to normal food but sufficient quantity was not available to supply to all anganwadis. In the coming days it would be inevitable for the government to supply millets to all anganwadis and so, farmers would be encouraged to grow more millets for which a special drive would be launched, he said.

The state government is also planning ‘Organic Bhagya’ to give an impetus to organic farming. Hitherto, organic farming was being done on around 31,000 hectares of land and now it has crossed 1,45 lakh hectares. Around 1.5 lakh farmers are involved in organic farming in the state, Mr Byre Gowda explained.

The government has organised a three-day Organic and millet national business mela at Bengaluru Palace from April 29. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the mela in which Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and others are expected to participate. The purpose of the mela is to help farmers get a remunerative prices for organic produce and millets. Besides, it will help farmers sell their produce directly to consumers without the intervention of middlemen.

Over 150 companies from across the country have confirmed their participation and over 250 stalls would be put up.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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