AgriWalk held in Bengaluru to spotlight value addition, farmer empowerment
Bengaluru (PTI): Hundreds of citizens of different age groups took part in the 'AgriWalk' held at Cubbon Park here on Sunday, as the Karnataka Agriculture Department sought to spotlight the need to move agriculture beyond mere production and empower farmers as entrepreneurs, officials said.
The walk, organised as a pre-event to the upcoming International Trade Fair 2026, was held under the theme 'A Walk for Empowering Farmers' aimed at creating awareness about value addition, processing, branding and sustainable agricultural practices as pathways to improving farmers' incomes.
The Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy flagged off the walk near the Cubbon Park Bandstand. The walk commenced at 6 am and covered a route passing through Queens Road, Vidhana Soudha, BBMP Tower, UB City Signal and Vittal Mallya Road, before concluding at the Bandstand.
Nearly 4,000 participants, including children, youth, women and senior citizens, registered for the AgriWalk, reflecting growing public interest in food systems, farmer welfare and healthy lifestyles. A Zumba dance session was organised as a warm-up activity prior to the walk, a release said.
The AgriWalk scheduled to be held from February 6 to 8 at Tripuravasini, Palace Grounds, here, it said.
Cheluvarayaswamy said, India's agricultural strategy is undergoing a major shift from mere production to profitability, with a renewed emphasis on value addition, branding and market linkages to turn farmers into entrepreneurs.
He said sustained initiatives by the Central and State governments have led to a steady rise in agricultural output, enabling the country to move ahead of many other nations. "The challenge now is not just producing more, but ensuring farmers earn more by processing their produce, adding value and accessing markets directly," he said.
The minister said empowering young farmers as agri-entrepreneurs is a key focus of the government's policy framework. This vision, he added, is at the heart of the upcoming agricultural fair.
He said the three-day event will serve as a platform connecting farmers with technology, branding opportunities and national markets. More than 300 stalls, including those of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), will showcase modern machinery, processing techniques and innovations spanning the entire agricultural value chain.
According to officials, Bengaluru, with its health-conscious population and strong market for organic and value-added products, was described as having the potential to emerge as a global hub for processed and value-added agricultural produce.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Explosion in Molakera village: Minister Eshwara Khandre inquiries about health of injured
Bidar: District In-charge Minister Eshwara Khandre visited the injured in the mysterious explosion that took place in Molakera village of Humnabad taluk and are currently undergoing treatment at the district hospital. The minister visited the hospital this morning and enquired about the health condition of the injured.
Speaking to reporters after the hospital visit, Khandre described the incident as deeply painful and unfortunate. “Yesterday’s explosion in Molakera village is extremely tragic. Four children sustained burn injuries, while two adults were seriously injured. One of them has been shifted to Solapur and the other to Hyderabad for advanced medical treatment,” he said.
He assured that all the injured are receiving proper medical care and that the district administration is closely monitoring their condition. “Doctors have been instructed to provide the best possible treatment to the injured,” the minister said.
Khandre said that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion and identify those responsible. “The government has taken this incident very seriously. I met the Chief Minister yesterday and briefed him on the facts of the incident,” he said.
He further announced that the government will bear the entire cost of medical treatment for all the injured. “Strict legal action will be taken against whoever is found responsible after the investigation,” he assured, while appealing to the villagers not to panic
