Desi Soppu Mela Concludes in Mysuru with a Leafy‑Green Bonanza

The bustling Nanjaraj Bahadur Choultry in Mysuru was the scene of the final day of the Desi Soppu Mela, a two‑day celebration of native leafy greens that drew a lively crowd on September 6. Organisers – Sahaja Samrudha, Using Diversity, Hulikadu Farmers Producer Company and the ICAR‑JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur – had set up a vibrant market where dozens of varieties of soppu (greens) were on display.

Farmers arrived from the foothills of H.D. Kote, the coffee‑rich belts of Kanakapura, the forest‑edge villages of Nagarhole, the plains of Kundgol and even the distant farms of Wayanad in Kerala. They brought with them an eclectic mix of medicinal, wild and cultivated greens – everything from the familiar Basale soppu to the lesser‑known Seegesoppu that clings to fence‑lines.

Visitors, many of them curious city dwellers, were visibly amazed at how these humble leaves thrived despite a season of scant rain. "Even with the shortage of water, the greens looked fresh and vibrant," a statement from the organisers noted, adding that the sheer diversity was a highlight of the fair.

By the afternoon, the market was a blur of activity. Stalls that had been stocked with bundles of Berake soppu, Kolesoppu and other traditional varieties were emptied faster than the organisers could replenish them. Neelamma, a woman farmer from Kundgol, beamed as she recounted, "Seegesoppu grows naturally along our village fences. People loved it – we sold each bundle for ₹100. Next year we’ll bring even more varieties and larger quantities."

Another participant, Nagamma of Nooralakuppe in H.D. Kote, mentioned, "I brought two sacks of Berake soppu with help from the Hulikadu Farmers Producer Company. By sunset, everything was gone. It felt rewarding to see the community embrace our produce."

Adding a touch of expertise, Muralidhar Gungurmale – affectionately known as the ‘Soppu man of Karnataka’ – toured the stalls, sharing anecdotes and health tips about each leaf. His engaging explanations helped many first‑time buyers understand the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of the greens they were purchasing.

Beyond the marketplace, a drawing competition for schoolchildren was held on the venue grounds. Little artists sketched their favourite vegetables, and the organisers handed out prizes, hoping to plant the seed of curiosity about traditional foods in the next generation.

The fair closed on a high note, with several attendees from different districts expressing enthusiasm for replicating similar events in their own hometowns. As the sun set over Mysuru, the organisers packed away the remaining bundles, already dreaming of next year’s mela – bigger, greener, and perhaps a little wetter, if the rains decide to be kinder.