The first Kokum Mela of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi will be conducted at Muliya village in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada on May 1.
Organised by Halasu Snehi Koota, Adike Pathrike and supported by Western Ghats Kokum Foundation, the mela is being organised to create awareness among farmers on marketing avenues and scope for cultivation of the fruit, according to Muliya Venkatakrishna Sharma, a member of the koota.
He said that there would be sale of grafted seedlings of Kokum in the mela from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The best Kokum from among the ones brought by farmers to the mela based on its size and quality would be picked for multiplying.
About five persons who have made value added products from Kokum would interact with farmers. Scientists from Krishi Vignana Kendra, Kumarakom, Kerala, and B.S. Somashekar, author of Garcinia Brothers, would also interact with participants.
The mela would feature different food items made from Kokum. Value added products of Kokum would be on sale.
He said that Kokum has been a part and parcel of life of farmers for long. The mela would expose farmers to value addition besides the traditional use of the fruit.
Earlier, the koota organised melas of wild mangoes and jackfruit.
