BENGALURU: The Karnataka government will set up a hi-tech system that will enable agri start-ups to procure millets directly from farmers without going through middlemen, Agriculture Minister N Charuvalayaswami said on Monday.
Charuvalayaswami held meetings with agriculture start-ups and government officials in this regard.
“We will launch an app. Startups can buy directly from farmers. Those who register can buy directly. The app will be ready within two months,” the minister told DH.
“Farmer producer organisations (FPOs) will be involved in this endeavour,” he added.
During the meeting, Charuvalayaswami pointed out that millet production was not keeping up with demand. “Farmers are not producing more as they think they cannot sell it,” he said. He instructed officials to draw up a plan to increase the area under millet cultivation from 30,000 hectares to 50,000 hectares.
A two-day millet fair will be organised in each district, Charuvalayaswami said, adding that the government will also help agricultural start-ups in the state set up booths at international food fairs and exhibitions.
During the meeting, the startups appealed to the Minister that the GST Council’s decision to reduce tax on processed food products using millet flour from 18 percent to 5 percent should be extended to other value-added agri-food products as well. Minister Charuvalayaswami responded by saying the issue would be taken up before the Union government.
The government will facilitate assistance from the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) for processing of the raw material besides providing technical assistance to millet food manufacturers.
Published June 24, 2024 15:37 IST
