After a gap of over 15 years, the district Horticulture Department is all set to organise an exhibition of flowers, vegetables, and fruits near the District Stadium here.
While, several districts in the State have been organising similar events to promote horticulture regularly, no such programme was held in Vijayapura district in the last 15 years.
“I really do not know why officials earlier did not take interest in holding this annual event. However, we have planned to organise the exhibition on a grand scale this year, and wish to reset the trend,” Santosh Inamdar, Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department, said.
He told The Hindu that the department receives Rs. 3 lakh as a grant from the government.
“However, the event requires at least Rs. 7 lakh … hence, the department would rope in local agencies,” he added.
Mr. Inamdar said that he has already spoken to his counterpart in Belagavi, where the event is held regularly. With the help of Belagavi officials, plans would be chalked out to conduct the exhibition here, Mr. Santosh Inamdar added.
He said that the department has decided to conduct the event in winter as the district faces water scarcity in summer. “It will possibly be held for three days starting November 1—Rajyotsava Day,” he added.
Mr. Inamdar said that during the event, besides giving publicity to the schemes of the department, people who have attained success in kitchen gardening would be invited to share their expertise.
An exhibition showcasing various ornamental flowers, bonsais and cactus would also be held, he said. He also said that a replica of a historic monument would be made using flowers.
“We are still on the process of selecting the monument,” he added. He said that University of Horticulture Sciences, Bagalkot, would be involved in the event.
As a special attraction, the Fisheries Department would be requested to develop an aquarium, he said.
“We also tentatively plan to bring some of the popular landscape designing agencies for spreading awareness among people about the importance of landscaping,” Mr. Inamdar said.
