The Jackfruit festival is back in Mysuru with a number of the nutritious fruit’s varieties available for sale at Nanjaraj Bahadur Choultry in Mysuru on May 16 and 17.

Organised by Sahaja Samrudha in collaboration with Desi Seed Producer Company and the Department of Horticulture - Kisan Mall, the Jackfruit festival aims to promote the fruit’s commercial potential, conserve its rich diversity and encourage value addition and create market opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs.

Renowned for its rich medicinal and nutraceutical properties, jackfruit is packed with essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, said a statement by the organisers. “This superfruit also has a low glycemic index, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious consumers,” the statement said.

Despite its immense nutritional and economic value, jackfruit remains an underutilised and neglected crop, the organiser said while hoping to change the perception by promoting its commercial potential through the Jackfruit festival.

“Karnataka is well known for its rich jackfruit diversity, which is considered climate-resilient and suitable for uncertain rainfall conditions. Popular and high-quality varieties such as Thubagere, Nagachandra, Lalbagh Madhura, Rudrakshi Bakke, Thovinakere Dodda Halasu, Nagarahole Jenu Halasu and Ramchandra jackfruit varieties will be available for sale. The special red jackfruit variety Chandra Halasu will also be available in limited quantities. Vegetable jackfruit, popularly known as the ‘vegetarian meat’, will also be sold,” the statement said.

More than 25 quality grafted jackfruit varieties including Vietnam Early, Deng Surya, Sarva Ruthu, Red and Yellow Rudrakshi, Lalbagh Madhura, and Mankale Red saplings will be available. Popular red varieties like Siddu and Shankara jackfruit plants will also be directly sold by growers, according to the statement.

Mangoes

During the festival, a variety of mangoes, which is among the most cherished summer fruits along with jackfruit, will also be sold. 

Organic farmers will directly market naturally grown mango varieties such as Dasheri, Badami, Rasapuri, Imam Pasand, Sindhura, Kesar, and Malgova. The main objective of the fair is to ensure better prices for farmers while providing consumers with fresh fruits directly from growers, the organisers said.

The two-day mela will be inaugurated by managing director of Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation (KAPPEC) C. N. Shivaprakash. 

Joint director of the Kannada and Culture Department V. N. Mallikarjuna Swamy, joint director of the Department of Horticulture, Manjunath Angadi, and Conservator of Tipu-era mango varieties Syed Ghanikhan will participate as guests.

Competitions

A number of competitions involving jackfruits will be organised as part of the festival.

While the Jackfruit lifting and Jackfruit weight-guessing competition will be held on Saturday evening, a Jackfruit eating competition will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday. 

Winners will be selected based on who eats the maximum jackfruit bulbs within the given time, the organisers said.

A Jackfruit drawing competition for children will also be held on Sunday and interested participants should report by 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Apart from fruits, products such as mango pickle, jackfruit papad, chips, sandige, jams, halwa, and various organic products will also be available for sale. 

Rural entrepreneurs, farmer producer companies, women’s groups, and farmers from different parts of Karnataka will market value-added jackfruit products, millets, organic products, and handicrafts. Seeds for the upcoming sowing season, traditional paddy seeds, and millets will also be available at the fair, the statement said.

For more information, contact: 9900746499 / 7090009944.