A two-day jackfruit festival began at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry in Mysuru on Saturday with Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation (KAPPEC) assuring support for value addition of the fruit and providing market linkages to its farmers.

Inaugurating the jackfruit festival organised by Sahaja Samrudha, Desi Seed Producer Company and Department of Horticulture - Kisan Mall, Managing Director of KAPPEC C. N. Shivaprakash opined that consumers, fascinated by imported fruits, have forgotten the native jackfruit.

“Jackfruit is like a wish-fulfilling tree for farmers in dryland regions. It has the ability to withstand climate change and erratic rainfall. By promoting the use of jackfruit, which is rich in medicinal properties, consumers can help bring it back into the mainstream,” he said. 

“A wide range of value-added products can be prepared from jackfruit. Farmers can earn better income if they focus on value addition activities,” he said.

KAPPEC will extend the necessary support for value addition and market linkages, he said, while pointing out that Farmer Producer Organisations engaged in value addition and marketing of jackfruit and other traditional fruits need proper guidance, support, and marketing facilities.

Joint Director of the Department of Kannada and Culture V. N. Mallikarjunaswamy, who was the chief guest, appreciated the diversity found in jackfruit.

“It is commendable that consumers have been given an opportunity at the festival to see and taste red-fleshed ‘Chandra’ jackfruit, white jackfruit suitable for diabetics, and delicious yellow jackfruit varieties. Jackfruit, deeply connected to our food culture, should become more popular. The joy of families sitting together and separating the bulbs while eating jackfruit should return once again,” he said.

Renowned seed conservator Syed Ghanikhan from Kirugavalu, who has preserved mango varieties from the era of Tipu Sultan, said, “In my orchard, I have more than a hundred mango varieties that are nearly 300 years old. There are varieties with the fragrance of sweet lime, apple-shaped mangoes, cumin-flavoured mangoes, and even non-sweet mangoes. Consumers should buy and encourage farmers who are conserving such rare indigenous mango varieties.”

Presiding over the event, Head of ICAR–JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dr. Gnanesh B.N. said jackfruit and its seeds are rich in vitamins, fiber, phytochemicals, proteins, minerals, and several other nutrients. 

“Delicious food items can be prepared from tender jackfruit, ripe fruit, and seeds. Urban consumers should support farmers by using more jackfruit products. Festivals that connect farmers and consumers should be organised in different parts of the city,” he said.

In his introductory remarks, Director of Sahaja Samrudha G. Krishna Prasad said jackfruit has long been neglected as merely a roadside fruit. “At a time when uncertain rainfall is pushing farmers into distress, jackfruit cultivation has become a ray of hope for dryland farmers. The responsibility of making jackfruit — once called the ‘fruit of the poor’ — popular again, lies with consumers. The government must provide the necessary support for this,” he said.

Special attraction

The famous red-fleshed “Chandra” jackfruit from Chikkanayakanahalli, which is available for sale at the festival, is drawing significant attention from the visitors.

Visitors are being offered an opportunity to taste and purchase red, yellow, and white varieties of jackfruit. A variety of delicacies including jackfruit holige, ice cream, chips, chocolates, papad, halwa, kebabs, vadas, dosa, palya, and biryani are available at the festival. A jackfruit-cutting machine is also being demonstrated and sold, according to a statement by the organisers.

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