Mon Feb 24 11:17:19 UTC 2025: **Bengaluru HOPCOMS Mela Showcases Karnataka’s Grape and Watermelon Bounty**
Bengaluru, Karnataka, February 24, 2025 – The annual Grapes and Watermelon mela, organized by the Horticultural Producers’ Co-operative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS), opened today at its Lalbagh outlet. The event features a wide variety of locally grown produce, including five watermelon types (Zigna Gold, Watermelon Yellow, Watermelon namesake, Wide watermelon, Kiran watermelon) and eight grape varieties, most of which are cultivated in Karnataka.
HOPCOMS General Manager Jayaprakash highlighted that the organization, established by farmers and currently boasting over 10,000 members, is committed to supporting its grower base. He also announced a new initiative with the Bangalore Apartment Federation (BAF) allowing apartment residents to place orders via WhatsApp, streamlining the ordering process. Jayaprakash acknowledged the challenges of selling perishable goods, citing a 20% spoilage rate during summer months.
Chickpet MLA Uday Garudachar inaugurated the mela, praising the quality of the fruit and encouraging public support for HOPCOMS. All HOPCOMS stalls in Bengaluru will offer a 10% discount on the fruit throughout the mela, which will run until the end of the season.
First Piper 