There is a need to focus on highlighting rural innovations in various spheres, according to Harish Hande, Managing Director of Selco India Ltd.

Inaugurating the two-day ‘Mangaluru Udyoga Mela’, organised by the Dakshina Kannada district administration at Canara Engineering College at Benjanapadavu on the outskirts of Mangaluru on Thursday, Hande suggested that the district set up a rural innovation centre.

Stating that a lot of innovation is happening in rural areas of the country, he said rural Karnataka has produced a good number of innovative ideas in various spheres. However, many of these innovators did not go in for marketing their ideas.

An innovation centre will help in agriculture, water conservation, rural business models and technologies.

B Ramanatha Rai, Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada district, said the district administration is ready to extend all the help, including the land, for establishing such an innovation centre in the district.

Around 250 companies, including some from Gulf countries, are participating in the two-day ‘Mangaluru Udyoga Mela’. Nearly 15,000 candidates from Dakshina Kannada and other parts of Karnataka have registered for the event.

The ‘udyoga mela’ will be an annual affair in the years to come, Rai said.