HOPCOMS will sell fresh grapes and watermelon all summer.
Story so far: The annual grapes and watermelon festival commenced on Wednesday at the Horticultural Producers Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS) office in Lalbagh. All varieties will be at a 10 per cent discount until the mela ends on March 21.
- Thirteen grape varieties and four types of watermelons are on sale. HOPCOMS aims to procure and sell 500 metric tonnes of grape varieties from Chikkaballapura and 800 metric tonnes of watermelons from its outlets in the city.
- The cooperative society has a network of farmers from Chikkaballapura, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Kolar and Koppal who supply them with the fruits.
Why it matters? HOPCOMS employees complain of oversight from the government. N Devaraj, HOPCOMS’ President, reveals that no government has addressed their demands for funds and gratuity upon retirement. The annual festival will allow farmers to earn better rates for their fruits and buyers to get fresh products at lower prices.
Benefits: Grapes are rich in natural sugar and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Watermelons contain Vitamins A, C, B-1, B-2, and other minerals.