Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jun 24: Udupi district level Jackfruit fest was held on Saturday June 23 at the campus of Flower auction center, in Doddanagudde. Dinakar Babu, president of Zilla Panchayat inaugurated the fest.
MLA Raghupathi Bhat addressing the gathering said, "Growing Jackfruit is easy. Farmers need not put much effort and there are many advantages in growing rich jackfruit. But it has been ignored despite having demand in markets. Jackfruit has the capacity to control diabetic disease. It has the quality of medicine. Jackfruit crop must be encouraged.”
The programme was organized by district administration, Zilla Panchayat Udupi and Sri Kshethra Dharmasthala Gramabhivriddi Scheme Udupi.
Dinakar Babu, president of Zilla Panchayat, inaugurated the program said, “The low-price jackfruit is a multi-purpose fruit. It is not only used for consumption but also in wooden furniture making. Women must be given training through organizing workshops on making jackfruit dishes and providing suitable market to their products.”
Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, said, “According to a research, Jackfruit is considered as future fruit because the other fruits will not survive. Let us plant more and more jackfruit saplings.”
“The Horticulture department is planting kenna saplings as part of Swacch Udupi Mission which will control menace of mosquitoes and it will also absorb liquid wastages. Public can approach Horticulture department and plant around their houses to prevent mosquitoes,” DC suggested. She insisted upon public using organic vegetables which are grown in terrace garden or at backyard for healthy living.
Bhubaneswari, Deputy Director of Horticulture Department, Meenakshi Madhava Bannanje, President, Udupi Municipal Council Udupi, Nalini Pradeep Rao, president, Udupi Taluk panchayat, Babu Shetty, ZP member, Dr S U Patil, co-research director of KVK Brahmavar, Dr. B Dhananjaya, senior scientist and chief of KVK, Purushottam, District Director of SKDRP, Ashok Kumar Kodgi, District Agricultural Society President and others were present.
The farmers at the fest were seen busy showcasing jackfruit dishes on the spot and selling. Chips, papaya, jackfruit juice, ice cream, salt nut, Jackfruits of Thailand breed, Rudraksha, Chandrababu, Shivaratri Jackfruit, Anjura Jackfruit, Honey breed were on sale.
Jackfruits were brought with the support of farmers 'Association of Thambugere, in Doddaballapur taluk.
The department brought 1.5 tons of varieties of breeds including Chandra Bakke, Red Rudrakshi and Yellow Rudrakshi, which were highlighted at the fest.
“Over 160 farmers of the association were present during the sale. The annual income of the association is Rs. 28 lacs and it supplies 80 to 100 tons of fruits to ice cream making factory in Mangaluru at the cost of Rs 12 to 15 lacs. Apart from selling in Karnataka we are also exporting to other states,” said Secretary Ravi Kumar said.