Two-day jackfruit fest begins in Mysuru
'Those who once wrinkled their noses at its smell, dismissed it as sticky, or ignored it as a cause of stomach pain, are now singing praises of the jackfruit. With a sweet taste, the fruit is rich in medicinal properties, and its fragrance should always fill our homes,' said writer and jackfruit farmer Krishnamurthy Biligere.
Speaking at the inauguration of the two-day Jackfruit Festival at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry on Vinoba Road here, Mr. Biligere said, 'A crop that requires no chemicals to grow, jackfruit is the 'Kalpavriksha' of open dry lands. Adaptable to changing climates and monsoon conditions, it is a crop for the future. To promote its value addition, financial support should be extended to women's groups and farmer-producer companies.'
He urged that farmers interested in jackfruit cultivation should be provided with the necessary support.
Organised by Sahaja Samrudha and Rotary Club Mysore West, the festival features a diverse array of jackfruit varieties and showcases its value-added potential.
Organic farmer Ramesh of Shivanapura, who was present at the festival, said, like jackfruit, hundreds of neglected fruit varieties need to be identified and brought to the mainstream. For example, the 'bilva fruit', often used for worship, can be turned into a delicious beverage and it should also be popularised, he suggested.
Rotary club president Nagesh M.L., who presided over the event, said efforts to bring value to neglected fruits like jackfruit are commendable. Events like this, which connect farmers and consumers, should happen more frequently.
Anandateertha Pyati, secretary of the Sahaja Samrudha, described jackfruit as 'the golden crop of drylands' and spoke on its long-term benefits. 'With just four years of care, the jackfruit tree can provide a hundred years of income. Dry land farmers should take up jackfruit cultivation,' he suggested.
Devaraju M., secretary of the Rotary Club of Mysore West, said that jackfruit is a gift from nature. People should enjoy the diverse flavors and colors of jackfruit varieties, which provide health benefits to consumers and income to farmers, he added.
The director of the Sahaja Samrudha Krishna Prasad spoke on the demand for premium jackfruit varieties, particularly red jackfruit, even in other States. Farmers must seize this opportunity and begin jackfruit farming. The government must provide the support necessary to bring neglected crops to the forefront, he added.
Over 60 jackfruit varieties, including 'Toobagere Red', 'Prakash Chandra', 'Rudrakshi', 'Shankar', 'Siddu', 'Lalbagh Madhur', and 'Ambali' are on display at the festival, which began here on Saturday.
Special attractions include red jackfruit varieties and Rudrakshi, or round jackfruits. Saplings of high-quality varieties are also available for sale. Value-added jackfruit products such as chips, ice creams, halwa, dosa, biryani, and kababs were being showcased in over 55 stalls alongside organic seeds, fruits like mango and jamun, and artisan crafts, at the festival.
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