Latest news with #JackfruitFestival
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
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.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Hindu
Annual Jackfruit Festival to take place on May 3 and 4
The Jackfruit Festival, which is conducted every year, will be held in the city on May 3 and 4 and feature many varieties of the fruit from different parts of the State and the country. Organised by Sahja Samrudha, in collaboration with Amul Organic and Rich Plus, the festival will be held at the Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry. The organisers said that the event promises to be an enriching experience for producers, consumers, and enthusiasts alike. Krishnaprasad of Sahaja Samrudha said that jackfruit was one of the most nutritious and versatile fruits, and the fourth-largest fruit crop in the country in terms of production. He said it is known for its rich medicinal and nutraceutical properties, and experts vouch for the rich vitamin and mineral content apart from the dietary fibre in the fruit. However, there was a perception that despite its benefits, jackfruit remains an underutilised and neglected crop. In this backdrop, the Jackfruit Festival is being conducted not only to promote its commercial potential for farmers, but also in a bid to preserve the diversity of the fruit. To showcase its diversity, the organisers will exhibit and sell red and white-fleshed jackfruit in addition to the yellow-fleshed fruit, which is known to consumers. There will also be 'Jackfruit Food Bazaar', which will highlight various innovative and value-added products like jackfruit ice cream, jams, squashes, papads, halwa, kababs, holige, and dosa. In addition, there will be cooking demonstrations to showcase the versatility of the fruit in traditional and modern recipes, according to the organisers. Seedlings of 25 unique jackfruit varieties, including Rudrakshi Halasu, Siddu, Shankara, Tubagere Halasu, Vietnam Super Early, and Chandra Halasu, the rare red jackfruits from Karnataka, will also be on sale. Farmers from H.D. Kote, Periyapatna, Kollegal, Srirangapatna, Tiptur, Chikkanayakanahalli, and Haveri will bring jackfruits cultivated in their farms along with value-added products. There will also be a jackfruit eating competition on May 4 at 2 p.m., and jackfruit lifting and weight-guessing competitions will be held. A drawing competition for children and adults on May 3 at 2 p.m. and a training session on May 3 with experts guiding farmers on seed selection, planting techniques, care, and harvesting are other events to be held as part of the festival. The festival will be inaugurated by Krishnamurthy Beligere, a poet and organic farmer. Karunakaran, principal scientist and head of the Central Horticultural Experimental Station, Manjunath Angadi, Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department, Rangarajan T.N. from Amul Organic and Rich Plus, and others will be present.
