Organics and Millets 2018 – International Trade Fair (ITF) happened in Bangalore at the Palace Grounds between 19-21 January 2018. 
Trade Fair Attendees
Organic Farmers Federations
The event has received tremendous response with farmers and small companies sharing info & selling them to the customers. Stalls were kept by many producers & small companies from many places around the state– Kalburgi, Hassan, Dharward, Hubli, Mangalore, Belagavi, Davangere, Mysore, Raichur, Shimogga, Kolar, Tumkur & other regions. There were also stall of some of the states that partnered for the event– Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Chattisgarh.
Private Sector
The event also featured renowned players from the private sector such as Phalada Agro Research Foundations Pvt Ltd, Sresta Natural BioProducts Pvt Ltd, Big Basket, ITC Ltd, Nature Bio-Foods Pvt Ltd, MRT Organic Green Products, Mehrotra Consumer Products P Ltd, Radico, Terra Firma Projects Pvt Ltd, Mother India Organics and Naturals Pvt Ltd, Akshayakalpa Farms & Foods Pvt Limited, Pro Nature Organic Foods (P) Ltd, Big Basket, Pristine Organics, Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, Dhatu Organics and Natural Pvt Ltd, Naturobell, Kottaram Agro Foods Pvt Ltd and many more. I visited many stalls and all of them were very enthusiastic in sharing info which was very heartening.
International Participants
International participants such as JRMT Global General Trading LLC from Dubai, FiBL from Switzerland, IFOAM Asia from South Korea along with buyers from USA, Germany, Uganda, China and Malaysia took part in the event.
Exhibition Area
The exhibition area spread across 3500 sq ft, which had nearly 357 stall featuring National and International companies along with state government in the Organic Agribusiness. There were special Rangolis at the entrance made with millets, flowers, diyas, coconut and other items.
At one of the entrances, all the varieties of millets and their products were on display. Various companies have started making different products to be consumed as – Sweet & Savouries, Snack Items, Meal Items and Breakfast Items.
Other Highlights
Farmers workshop was organized in Kannada where over 5,000 farmers showed up and were taught farming techniques by experts in organic production. The workshop benefited the farmer as they became aware of multiple facets and conditions required within the organic production space.
A trade fair received nearly 2.1 lakh footfalls in matter of 3 days. Special food court (‘Khandavi’) was setup across 30,000 sq ft serving food prepared by millets. Organic Food Court offered visitors a chance to indulge their taste buds in a pure organic and millet diet. Some of the renowned food court partners are Green Path, Dhatu, Bhoomika Millet Foods, Naturobell, Grameena Kutumba, Mother India farms, etc.
A separate area hosted all the B2B meetings. Over 15 international buyers and trade association (USA, Canada, South Korea, China, UAE, Malaysia, Switzerland, Uganda). Domestic buyers (around 50) took part in the meeting with suppliers and organic farmer federations.
Various conferences, competitions, workshops, demonstrative sessions and group discussions were also held that were related to Organics & Millets.
The trade fair was a great initiative by Karnataka Government to take up the initiative to setup such a large-scale event. Hoping that we will have such fairs happening on a regular basis.
Overall Experience
This was one of the best International Trade Fair that I have attend on Millets until now. The event had a great pre-cursor event at ITC Windsor in December 2017 which set the expectation right. It was great to hear Shri. Krishna Byre Gowda, Minister of Agriculture (GoK) speak about Millets & its future. This Trade Fair gave opportunity for plenty of farmers and brands across the state & country, to share their knowledge on millets & sell products. At the end of this conference, many people who become more aware of this healthy food option. Hoping that we get to see many more such International Trade Fairs in the coming days.
This is a happy feeling to learn that our local agricultural produce is getting boost at such huge scale. National & international players / partners helping to boost agriculture.
Wow a trade fair that glorifies the amazing health bennfits of millets and how they are grown. Glad to see the farmers being invited and being involved in such an amazing event
Really good article on quite an interesting topic, I must say
This trade fair seems to be a great success with so many privileges for agriculture sector.
That’s great platform to support Indian agriculture and give them good exposure for trade.
I heard about the event but didnt get a chance to visit there. This looks like an interesting event with some learning too.
Looks like a good event to learn about millets.Would love to attend one day.
We need more such initiatives, a trade fair to highlight agricultural products and to boost the farming industry. A great post indeed….
Such Trade fairs give plenty of scope to learn for the one wanting to. thank you for putting up this informative post here.
Cheers!!
UK
Good Article.Millet foods support healthy and regular digestion Mixed Millet can contain more antioxidants and nutrients than regular food.