Buyers at the ongoing Pallishree mela in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Nov. 11: A special stall called Kasam (Kandhamal Apex Spices’ Association for Marketing) at the national-level Pallishree mela pavilion at Bali yatra has become a huge hit with customers by virtue of its organic food products.

The traditional Kandhamal turmeric, spices, rice, dal and other pulses are selling like hot cakes at the Pallishree mela, hosted by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society of the panchayati raj department.

“We have been doing a business of Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 per day and are happy with the response we have got so far. Our products are healthy and eco-friendly. No chemical fertilisers were used during its production,” said Balram Pradhan, a farmer from Kandhamal.

More than 12,000 farmers are registered with Kasam, and all of them use natural fertilisers such as compost and cow dung and other traditional methods of farming.

Another stall selling popular silver filigree products of Cuttack has also received appreciation from the visitors.

Master craftsman and national award winner Pankaj Kumar Sahoo has set up a stall for the first time at Bali yatra fair. “I have given a modern look to the ornaments keeping in view the demand and taste of the people. The cost of such sterling silver filigree ornaments ranges from Rs 200 to Rs 25,000,” said Sahoo.

Around 314 stalls have come up at the Ormas pavilion, which is offering a wide range of ethnic rural crafts, handloom and other products made by traders as well as various self-help groups.

In the first five days, the total business at Ormas has touched almost Rs 5 crore.

“So far, we have done a business of Rs 4.5 crore and are expecting the total sale to cross Rs 9 crore by the time the fair ends,” said Bipin Rout, chief executive officer of Ormas’s Cuttack chapter.

Rout said the main objective of the fair was to popularise variety of rural products from various parts of the state. Various other agencies such as the Khadi and Village Industries Corporation, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and others are also taking part in the fair.

An official said various ethnic products from other states, including leather and handloom products from Rajasthan, wooden and cane products from Tripura and other Northeast states, chikan works from Lucknow and other parts, are also on display at the Ormas pavilion.