Kerala govt declares jackfruit as official fruit

The Kerala government said it aims to promote Kerala Jackfruit as a brand in the market and eyes Rs 15,000 crore revenue in sales.

Kerala’s agriculture minister VS Sunil Kumar declared jackfruit as the state government’s official fruit on Wednesday.

Every year around 32 crore jackfruit are produced in the state, of which 30% gets wasted. A total revenue of Rs 15,000 crore is expected from the sale of the fruit. (Praful Gangurde/ HT File Photo)

The aim is to promote the ‘Kerala Jackfruit’ as a brand in markets across the country and abroad, showcasing its organic and nutritious qualities, Kumar said in the state assembly.

This would also help in giving in the fruit’s production and sale, besides increasing its value-added products.

Every year around 32 crore jackfruit are produced in the state, of which 30% gets wasted.

A total revenue of Rs 15,000 crore is expected through sale of jackfruit and its allied products through branding of the fruit, he said.

The ‘Kerala jackfruit’ is more organic and tasty as it is produced in a very natural way without using any chemical fertilisers or pesticides, the minister said.

There are also plans to distribute maximum jackfruit saplings among the public to grow it in their backyards as part of plans to expand the cultivation, he said.

The agricultural office in Ambalavayil in Wayanad will be used as a research station for jackfruit.

The state had recently declared pearl spot, popularly known as ‘karimeen’, as its official fish.