An organic mango and jackfruit festival will be organised from May 29 to 31 at Nexus Centre City Mall in Mysuru with the objective of creating market opportunities for farmers associated with clusters formed under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) implemented by the Horticulture Department.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Joint Director of Horticulture Manjunath Angadi said the three-day festival is aimed at promoting direct interaction between organic growers and consumers while encouraging value addition in mango and jackfruit-based products. A similar organic mango and jackfruit fair organised at Lalbagh in Bengaluru from May 23 to 25 had received an encouraging response, he added.

Apart from fresh mangoes and jackfruits, the exhibition-cum-sale will feature a range of organic produce, offering farmers an opportunity to directly market organically cultivated products to visitors.

Live demonstrations on preparing specialty food items using mango and jackfruit will be organised, enabling visitors to taste and purchase the products. Traditional foods and snacks prepared by farming families from different regions of the State will also be displayed and sold.

The event will also showcase garments and artworks produced using organic and natural dyes. Demonstrations on production techniques, storage practices and processing methods related to raw materials used in such products are also planned.

Workshops on urban horticulture and natural soap-making will be conducted to train participants in cultivating native plant varieties in home gardens and preparing soaps and detergents using natural ingredients.

President of the Organic Society Dr. Ramakrishna said the exhibition will feature more than 80 local and exotic mango varieties and over 35 varieties of jackfruit. Visitors, particularly younger generations, will be introduced to the diversity of mango and jackfruit varieties found across Karnataka, methods of identification and conservation efforts undertaken by farmers.

The exhibition will also focus on the distinctive characteristics of individual varieties, their climatic suitability and naturally ripened fruits. Special attractions include “Tipu Bada Bagh” mangoes and jackfruit diversity from Alur.

“Our Farmers Market” member Kavitha Srinivasan said children will be encouraged to participate in drawing activities themed around natural farming, environmental conservation and livestock-based agriculture. Demonstrations on traditional pottery-making will also be organised to highlight rural livelihoods.

As part of the children’s programme, the play “Pippigondu Pappi”, written and directed by theatre personality Prasanna Heggodu, will be staged by the Indian Educational Institution on Saturday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Interactive activities aimed at creating awareness among youth about variations in the size and weight of jackfruit varieties are also planned during the festival.