Mangaluru : The two-day honey-cum-organic mela organised by the Department of Horticulture in association with the Zilla Panchayat began at Kadri Park on Saturday, February 11.

Mohammed Monu, Mangaluru Taluk Panchayat president inaugurated the Jenu (honey-cum-organic) Mela. Speaking after inaguration he said, the event will encourage farmers and will guid benefit of the hoey products. Farmers who have about 2 acres of land or more should give importance in producing organic products”.

Apis melipona and Apis Cerana Indica species of live honeybee colonies were kept on display, besides different equipment, exhibition-cum-sales of honey, information on its medicinal values, different beverages and medicines made using honey were available at the mela.

Hornet comb, model of bee hives, PVC model bee hive, honey comb and various equipment for extraction of honey were on display. The Department of AYUSHis creating awareness among the people on how to use honey as a cosmetic product. SDM College of Ayurveda and bee keepers from Puttur Jenu Saka-nikegara Sangha have put up stalls. Ayurveda College students have prepared honey, ragi and wheat honey delight sweets. Coorg Honey, honey collected from Western Ghats and unifloral honey from Kashmir are on sale.The mela will continue today, Feb 12, Sunday.

Prior to the inauguration, a workshop on organic farming was held for the farmers.

Deputy director of Horticulture Yogish and others were also present.