Mangaluru: The Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, along with the Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Mission, District Administration, Zilla Panchayat and the Mangaluru City Corporation, will organise a national-level self-help group (SHG) product exhibition and sale — Namma Saras Mela 2026 — from February 20 to February 28 at Karavali Grounds.
Participation from 15 states and all Karnataka districts
Zilla Panchayat CEO Narwade Vinayak Karbhari told mediapersons that SHG women from 15 different states and all districts of Karnataka will take part in the mela with their region-specific products. The event is designed to create a direct market platform for SHGs, enabling them to connect with customers and expand their reach beyond local markets.
A total of 120 stalls will be set up to display and sell a wide range of products made by rural and urban SHGs. In addition, 30 live food court stalls will offer cuisines from different parts of Karnataka as well as other states.
Entry to the mela will be free for the public. The exhibition will remain open every day from 10.30 am to 9.30 pm throughout the nine-day period.
Wide range of traditional and value-added products
Officials said the stalls will feature diverse handmade and value-added goods prepared by SHG women. These include traditional craft and textile products such as Channapatna wooden toys, Kinnal toys from Koppal, Molakalmuru sarees, Ilkal sarees, silk sarees, and a variety of garments.
Visitors can also purchase fibre bags, banana fibre products, khadi items, home décor articles, traditional artefacts, household utility items, and innovative jewellery. Food and agro-based products will include spices, millet-based items, value-added coastal products, and processed food items.
Ayurvedic and herbal products prepared by SHGs will also be available. Organisers said the pricing has been kept affordable to encourage bulk public participation and higher sales for SHG producers.
Akka Cafés and special food court attraction
The Zilla Panchayat CEO said that as announced in the 2024–25 and 2025–26 State Budgets, 23 Akka Cafés are already operational across the state under a uniform design model, while 39 more are under implementation. The long-term goal is to establish more than 200 such cafés to strengthen SHG-led food enterprises.
Each Akka Café typically provides employment to five to six SHG women, offering a stable income stream and entrepreneurship opportunity.
As part of the mela, a specially designed “Akka Food Court” has been set up at the venue. It will feature popular North Karnataka and regional dishes such as Girmit/Churumuri Mandakki, Jolada Khadak Bisi Rotti, Holige, Belagavi Kunda, Dharwad Peda, Mysore Pak, Neer Dosa, Kharabath, and Kadabu.
Non-vegetarian and multi-cuisine options will also be available. These include Roti–Chicken Sukka, Ragi Mudde with Chicken Curry, Biryani, fresh juices, snacks, and quick-serve items such as French fries. All dishes will be prepared live across 30 food stalls.
Cultural programmes and training sessions planned
Cultural programmes will be organised daily at the venue from 6.30 pm to 9 pm. In collaboration with the State Kannada and Culture Department, the mela will host music concerts, dance performances, and special shows by the Police Band and noted singers from across the state.
Alongside sales and cultural events, the mela will also focus on capacity building. Daily training sessions and lectures will be held between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm to support women in developing entrepreneurial and business skills. These sessions will cover topics such as small business management, value addition, branding, packaging, and market linkage.
Officials said the mela is intended not only as a sales platform but also as a learning and networking space for SHG members to strengthen their enterprises.
Platform for SHG growth and market access
Organisers said Namma Saras Mela 2026 aims to promote SHG products at a national level, enhance incomes of women-led groups, and build stronger rural-urban market connections. By bringing multiple states and districts onto a single platform, the event is expected to encourage exchange of ideas, product innovation, and inter-state collaboration.
With free entry, extended daily hours, cultural events, and food attractions, authorities expect strong public turnout and significant business opportunities for participating SHGs.