Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Jun 14: The ravishing aroma of jackfruit filled Narayana Guru Kalyana Mantapa here on Saturday June 14, attracting large crowds as the state-level jackfruit fest began on a high note.

Jackfruit fest was given a new dimension in 2011. The fest was held in Brahmavar in 2013 and in Karkala in 2014 and now it has come to Kundapur. The two-day state-level fest was organized jointly by Agriculture and Horticulture Research Centre, Brahmavar, Udupi; Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, Kundapur, horticulture and forest department, Udupi and Bharathiya Kisan Sangha, Udupi.

Jackfruit growers from different districts held exhibition of different varieties and preparations and sold various jackfruit products at the venue. Kadamba Marketing Sauharda Cooperative Bank prepared various products from the fruit and distributed to the farmers.

Varanasi Foundation of Adyanadka, Dakshina Kannada introduced different grafted breeds saplings to the farmers. Chandrakala and Rudrakshi varieties garnered special attention. While the fruit drew everyone's attention, its saplings were sold in large numbers.

Idli, dosa, mulka, kotte, kadabu, garigari, papad, chips, payasa, juice and ice creams prepared from jackfruit by self-help groups were an instant hit with the crowd.

There was also a meeting wherein experienced growers explained ways to grow the fruit in a profitable manner. The fest aimed to encourage jackfruit farming to make it an indivisible part of cultivation.

Jackfruit is basically from the Western Ghats. It is popular in Bangladesh, Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia.

There have been several experiments in jackfruit cultivation. Waxless jackfruit and small fruits known as Chandrakala have come into the market..

Jackfruits come in hard and soft varieties. In the past jackfruit products were a part and parcel of daily food. However, in modern days jackfruit has lost its value. Jackfruit trees are being sacrificed for furniture. The state-level fest is being held to make people realize the value of the fruit and encourage farmers to grow it more and making it a profitable business.