Torvi village, 8 km from Bijapur city, is all set for the cattle fair organised every year by Shri Siddeshwar Jathra Mahotsava and Agriculture Produce Marketing Centre (APMC) during Sankranti festival. The weeklong fair will be inaugurated on Friday evening.
The aim of the festival is to provide a single platform for the farmers of north Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh to provide information on better maintenance of cattle and latest technologies in the agriculture sector. The festival also offers an opportunity to buy and sell cattle at favourable prices. The price of cattle vary from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 3 lakh.
According to sources in the APMC, the festival has been on since 1984. “Last year, the cattle fair was simultaneously held at Chadchan and Torvi village because the number of heads of cattle in Torvi village was around 50,000. This time, more than 80,000 heads of cattle are expected to take part in the fair,” sources said.
Facilities
The APMC has taken 110 acres of land on a 30-year lease at Torvi village for conducting the cattle fair. Drinking water is provided through five borewells at the venue and ten tankers were arranged by the City Municipal Council (CMC). The farmers have to arrange for fodder for their cattle.
This year, the organisers have decided to conduct competitions in 12 categories and the prizes would be distributed to the winners on the final day. The district Information Department has set up a stall in which the development works of the State Government would be highlighted, sources said.
The Department of Kannada and Culture, Shri Siddeshwar Samsta and local artistes will present traditional songs, dance, drama and devotional songs to entertain participants, sources added.
