Vijayapura: The first of its kind exhibition-cum-sale of the famous Grapes of the District got off well with the encouraging public response on the first day of the five-day event on Thursday February 16.
With around a dozen stalls being set up at the premises of District Horticulture Officer, farmers of the district have brought their produce packed directly from their farms to sell. Though around 12 varieties of grapes are being exhibited, however around six varieties are available for sale. They include Thompson Seedless, Manik Chaman, Sonaka, Anushka, Sharad Seedless etc.
“it is the first day of the exhibition and we are getting good response. We are confident that more people will visit during weekends as there is Shivatratri Festival also on Saturday February 18 when people buy fruits”, said Deputy Director of the Department C. S. Baragimath.
He said that in order to facilitate the consumers to get a nicely packed grapes, the Department has provided the branded carton boxes of 2 kgs and 4 kgs to the grape growers.
“We have got around 18,000 boxes prepared for the purpose. The boxes help in retaining the quality of the fruit for a longer time. Those who wished to gift the boxes to their relatives or friends, can carry the packed boxes itself,” he said.
Expressing happiness over the department holding such an event, Ashok Babur, one of the grape farmers of Babaleshwar Taluk said that the exhibition helps the local consumers to buy export quality fruit at a low price.
“Normally, we export this quality of fruit to other states and neighboringy countries. The local people get only the second or third quality of fruit. But in this exhibition, they can buy the first quality fruit at a reasonable price,” he said.
He hoped that the Zilla Panchayat would hold the event every year so that the sellers get a good market and buyers get quality products.
Sharing his views, Manohar Biradar, one of the customers who had come to visit the exhibition, said that he purchased 4 kgs of grape. “I had come to buy just about a kilogram of grape, but by looking at the varieties and taste, I purchased four kilograms,” he said.
The five-day event will end on February 20. The exhibition and sale will remain open between 11.00 am and 6.00 pm.
It may be noted that it is the first of its kind initiative taken in order to provide direct link between the farmers and the consumers without the intervention of the agents.
