State pavilion at Trade Fair a crowd-puller

BENGALURU: Meghalaya, currently promoting production of organic cereals in a big way, was the focus at the Organics and Millets 2018 International Trade Fair here. The Centre has approved 2018 as the ‘Year of Millets.’
The event is showcasing organic crops and millets through exclusive pavilions and stalls of partnering states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Chhattisgarh with Meghalaya being one of them. The Meghalaya pavilion attracted a large number of people.
Addressing the international trade fair, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda said, “The central government has approved 2018 as year of millets to encourage its production and boost this sunrise agri industry. We did it on Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishne Byre Gowda’s request,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Krishne Byre Gowda said the government hopes to bring about a change in dietary habits and promote a more sustainable future. Among many companies, brands such as MTR Foods, Mother India Agro Foods have set up their stalls at the event.
The managing director of Britannia Industries Limited, Varun Berry, who attended the event, said the company currently produces roughly 110 tonnes of biscuits in India. “We expect to expand the health biscuit category by introducing millet lines and other grain-based lines,” he added. (Agencies)