Jackfruit fair begins at Bhagini Mandal

HUBBALLI

“I am also a jackfruit farmer. Marketing jackfruit is a challenge. We sell locally for whatever price we get. Fairs like this bring value to fruits like jackfruit and should be organised everywhere,” said Basavaraj Horatti, Chairman of   legislative council.

Inaugurating the two-day organic mango and jackfruit fair, organised by Sahaja Samrudha and the Rotary Club of Hubballi here at Bhagini Mandal, Horatti shared that fruits and vegetables grown organically are good for health, especially children. Jackfruit grown without the use of chemicals can help maintain our health, he added.

Rotary Club President Bapugowda S Biradar appreciated the efforts, saying this initiative to bring value to fruits like jackfruit is commendable. 

Rotary Club Secretary AV Sankanur remarked that the jackfruit, a natural gift from nature, comes in various colours and flavours. We should celebrate these varieties. Such fairs benefit both consumers with health and farmers with income, he opined.

Presiding over the programme, G Krishna Prasad, Director, Sahaja Samrudha, noted that there is a growing demand for quality jackfruit varieties, especially the red one, even from other states.

Farmers should seize this opportunity and consider cultivating jackfruit. The government should provide necessary support and appropriate markets to farmers taking up jackfruit cultivation, he pressed.

Seema Prasad, Head, Krishikala Institution, said “Jackfruit, which tastes as sweet as honey and is rich in medicinal properties, was relegated to roadside sales due to a lack of consumer encouragement. Awareness about the diversity of jackfruit must be raised so that one day, jackfruit becomes a staple item in fruit stores.”

Visitors thronged to buy diverse varieties of jackfruits and mangoes brought from Chelur in Tumakuru district. Red-pulped Chandrahasa jackfruit variety from Chikkanayakanahalli and Cheloor was in high demand.