Farmers, artisans should find innovative ways to market their produce, says ZP CEO

Farmers and artisans should not only focus on production of goods, but also on innovative marketing, packaging and advertising of their produce. Value addition is the way forward for all types of products, Rahul Shindhe, CEO, Zilla Panchayat, said in Belagavi on Wednesday (March 18, 2026).

He was speaking after inaugurating the ‘Outreach and Capacity Building Initiative to Create Opportunities for Growth and Exports in Belagavi’ at the ZP hall.

He said that the ZP would work with Exim bank officers to create a platform for farmers industries and artisans to better market their products. `It will also help them avail of benefits like training, mentoring and subsidies and explore export opportunities,’’ he said He appealed to handicraftsmen, farmers, weavers, potters and other small home industries in the district, and others to take advantage of it.

Mr. Shindhe said that there were several products in Belagavi district with huge potential for export, like Khanapur pottery, Athani’s Kolhapuri footwear, Hukkeri Chikkalagudda kaudi, Sanjeevini saffron, and other items. However, artisans and farmer were facing problems like training and financial support. He said that Exim Bank would help them in this regard.

Across the country, Exim Bank is providing training and credit facilities to clusters of women’s associations, artisans, weavers, potters and farmers to undertake different businesses. “Artisans of the district should take advantage of this facility. At the same time, other banks should also formulate a programme to help in the same way as Exim Bank,” he said.

Ravidas Pyage, Exim Bank Deputy General Manager (Grassroots Innovations Development), said that the Bank was providing assistance to small entrepreneurs as well as large-scale entrepreneurs. “We try to help in transforming small businesses into large-scale industries by providing training and credit facilities. This outreach programme is aimed at unique products of Belagavi district,” he said.

Mr Pyage recalled that Exim bank had provided handholding support to Bidri artisans, in innovative design, export promotion, e-commerce, packaging and in promoting internships under master trainers, apart from financial support.

Later, Exim Bank officials interacted with members of self-help groups, farmers, weavers, potters and other handicraft workers from various taluks of the district, including Khanapura, Hukkeri, Ramadurga, Chikkodi, Athani, Raybag, Gokak, and informed them about the way in which the bank would provide assistance.

Studying market trends

H.D. Kolekar, Deputy Director of Agriculture Department said that various departments had promoted 73 farmer produce organisations in the district. “Around ₹30 crore was distributed to as many as 1,148 families under Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme. The recent Karnataka budget has set aside ₹100 crore for secondary agriculture for value addition and allied sectors,” he said.

Veteran handicrafts promoter G.N. Gopikrishna advised farmers to study market trends and focus on value addition. He said that there was an increased interest about Emmer wheat, Belgaum Basmati and Sankeshwar chilli. He said the Khanapur pottery and Kolhapuri chappals from Athani had great market potential.

Exim Bank Deputy Managers Ganesh Ram and Prince Mehra gave details of the different kinds of services offered by the financial institution. They interacted with representatives of industries and FPOs and SHGs .

Zilla Panchayat Project Director Ravi Bangareppanavar, Assistant Project Officer Bhagyashree Jahagiradar, Lead Bank Manager Prashanth Godake, Deputy Director of Horticulture Department Prashanth Muragoda, farmer producer companies, members of self-help groups from various taluks of the district, artisans, farmers and others were present.