A variety of cereals, pulses, minor millets, spices, flours, vegetables, fresh and dried herbs are among 374 organic products to be sold at Jaivik Mall in AECS Layout, Sanjaynagar.
The mall was inaugurated on Thursday by Minister for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda.
It is the second retail outlet of Jaivik Krishik Society, which is part of the Department of Horticulture. The first one is at Lalbagh.
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The department plans to take the number of such outlets to six by 2014-end. It will open one in Banashankari and another in Nandini Layout by February-end, in defunct HOPCOMS outlets.
Apart from this, Organic Corners will be opened in select HOPCOMS outlets to sell organic products.
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After inaugurating the outlet, Mr. Gowda said the government was committed to promoting organic farming, for which it had set aside Rs. 36 crore.
“There is greater awareness among people about the benefits of organic produce. The government will focus on promoting minor millets that have several health benefits. Increased demand will encourage farmers to cultivate minor millets,” he said.
K. Ramakrishnappa, additional director in the department and president of the society, said, demand for organic food was increasing. “Though organic products are a little expensive compared to non-organic ones, the health benefits are greater, not to mention the environmental benefits as well.”
The department was promoting organic terrace and kitchen gardening. As part of this, it hoped to train 40,000 people, he said.
Processing centreBesides, a grading, packing and processing centre for organic products is being established at a cost of Rs. 1 crore at Tippegondanahalli, Mr. Ramakrishnappa added.