Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Jan 23: The district administration, zilla panchayat, and department of horticulture, Udupi district, in collaboration, to organize the 16th district-level Flower and Fruit Show – 2026 from January 26 to 28, at the premises of the horticulture department’s Flower Auction Centre (Raitha Seva Kendra), Shivalli Model Horticulture Field, Doddanagudde.
Udupi district deputy commissioner Swaroopa T K, addressing the media in the press conference held on January 23 at department of horticulture said, “This year’s exhibition is being organized with a special theme highlighting the life and achievements of environmentalist Salumarada Thimmakka. The inaugural ceremony will be held on January 26, at 8 am, and will be inaugurated by Lakshmi R Hebbalkar, minister for women and child development, empowerment of differently-abled and senior citizens, and district in-charge minister of Udupi. Yashpal A Suvarna, MLA of Udupi, will preside over the function. Members of Parliament, MLAs, and other dignitaries from the district will also be present.
As part of the exhibition, around 7,000 flower plants of 26 varieties will be displayed, including petunia, celosia, salvia, chrysanthemum, marigold, zinnia, China aster, balsam, torenia, rose, tecoma, hibiscus, pansy, impatiens, and several other varieties.
The major attractions of this year’s exhibition include, display of artistic works depicting the life and achievements of Salumarada Thimmakka, creative floral art made using roses, chrysanthemums, and other flowers, 'Janur Art' sculptures made from coconut fronds, flower-based selfie zones and decorative models such as Doraemon, mushroom, and cone structures, exhibition of ornamental plants and decorative flower pots, demonstration of model kitchen gardens and micro-greens cultivation.
As part of this programme various technical seminars and awareness programmes are organized namely control of areca leaf spot disease on January 26, export opportunities for GI-tagged crops such as Udupi jasmine and mattu gulla brinjal on January 27, and terrace gardening and kitchen garden development and maintenance on January 28.
The fair includes information stalls by various departments including agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, KVK, DAY-NRLM, banks, and other allied departments, sale counters for nursery plants, agricultural implements, and farm machinery, and exhibition of unique fruits, vegetables, horticultural crops, spices, and plantation produce grown by farmers.
Farmers interested in displaying their produce are requested to register by bringing their exhibits on January 25, by 3 pm, at the Flower Auction Centre premises in Shivalli.
The exhibition will be open to the public from 10 am to 8 pm on all three days. Farmers, general public, and students from schools and colleges are encouraged to participate in large numbers.