Kerala Jack Fruit to hit markets

Thrissur: Kerala is planning to export value-added jackfruit products under brand name 'Kerala Jack Fruit'. Farm minister V.S. Sunilkumar said the government had already started the registration process for the new brand. "Even from the ancient times Keralites knew about benefits of consuming jackfruit," he said at the ongoing Fruit Fest here. "The state government made jackfruit the official fruit as it is the common people's diet. Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu had earlier given the fruit an official status," he said.

He said that as Mala region in Thrissur which is known for its abundance, the Kerala Agro Industries Corporation will set up a processing unit in Poopathy and Kudumbasree units will source them.  At present half of jackfruits produced in Mala region is wasted and those taken to Tamil Nadu  fetches farmers Rs 1 or 2 per Kg.  "The processing unit will buy them at Rs 7 per kg," he said.

According to  Ernakulam-based entrepreneur of value-added jackfruit products, James Joseph, who is one of the pioneers in the field, the mature green jackfruit (unripe) is of high medicinal value to counter diabetes. "The presence of soluble fibre pectin that helps fight diabetes is more in the green jackfruit. At this stage, the fruit has low calories and is a replacement for rice and wheat," he said. "Jackfruits worth Rs 2,000 crore is wasted in a year in the country."