By Komal,U.D Field Coordinator
Mysore, May 3–4, 2025 — The aroma of jackfruit filled the air at Nanjanraj Bahadur Chhatra as farmers, consumers, and enthusiasts gathered for a vibrant two-day Jackfruit Festival, jointly organized by Sahaja Samrudha and Rotary Club Mysore West.
From Disregarded to Revered: Jackfruit in the Spotlight
“In the past, people turned away from jackfruit due to its smell or stickiness. But today, it’s being celebrated for its medicinal value and sweet taste,” said Krishnamurthy Biligere, acclaimed writer and jackfruit farmer, during the festival’s inauguration. He described jackfruit as the ‘Kalpavriksha’ of drylands, a climate-resilient crop requiring no chemical inputs. He emphasized the importance of supporting women’s groups and FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) to scale up jackfruit-based enterprises and urged for better market access and cultivation support.
The festival, organized by Sahaja Samrudha and Rotary Club Mysore West, features a diverse array of jackfruit varieties and showcases its value-added potential.Focus on Underutilized Fruits Rajyothsava awardee organic farmer Ramesh of Shivanapura highlighted, “Like jackfruit, there are hundreds of neglected fruit varieties that need to be identified and brought to mainstream attention. For example, the bilva fruit, often used for worship, can be turned into delicious beverages and should also be popularized.”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.”
Anandatirtha Patti, Secretary of Sahaja Samrudha, described jackfruit as “the golden crop of drylands” and emphasized its long-term benefits: “With just four years of care, the jackfruit tree can provide a hundred years of income. Dryland farmers should take up jackfruit cultivation.”Devaraju M, Secretary of the Rotary Club of Mysore West, remarked, “Naturally available 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. Sahaja Samrudha Director Krishna Prasad underscored 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 said.
Over 60 jackfruit varieties, including Toobagere Red, Prakash Chandra, Rudrakshi, Shankar, Siddu, Lalbagh Madhur, and Ambali, are on display. Special attractions include red jackfruit varieties and Rudrakshi jackfruits the size of footballs. Saplings of high-quality varieties are also available for sale. Value-added jackfruit products such as chips, ice cream, halwa, dosa, biryani, and kababs are being showcased in over 55 stalls alongside organic seeds, fruits like mango and jamun, and artisan crafts. Training and Competition training sessions on jackfruit cultivation, pest and disease management, and marketing were conducted. Farmers shared their experiences with popular red jackfruit varieties like Siddu and Shankar. Fun competitions like estimating jackfruit weight and lifting jackfruit entertained visitors, while a jackfruit-eating competition is scheduled for Sunday at 2 PM.
Indigenous community members actively participated in the event, selling two tons of jackfruit and achieving a turnover of ₹75,000. This success highlights the potential of underutilized crops to create meaningful rural livelihoods.
