Kerala: Boost for jackfruit entrepreneurs

THRISSUR: The state government’s move to  announce jackfruit as the official fruit of the state has given a boost to the  new entrepreneurs who plan to  set  up units for value-added products. According to Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar,  the government will make the announcement in two weeks.  This will give rise to  business worth Rs 1,500 crore  with the help of  agriculture and industries departments.

“The jackfruit includes tender (idiyanchakka), mature green jackfruit (unripe) and the ripe ones. The presence of soluble fibre pectin that adds medicinal value against  diabetes  is more in the  green jackfruit. At this  stage, the fruit has  low calories and is a replacement for rice and wheat,” said Mr James Joseph who in 2014 had come up with a value-added jackfruit start-up project by giving up a  job with Microsoft. He says that jackfruit worth Rs 2,000 crore  is wasted in a year in the country, citing a study conducted by  agriculture experts.

The organisers of the ‘Agro Food Pro’ to promote entrepreneurs for value-added products being held here said that at present there are 40 units producing value-added  items in the state.  More youngsters were approaching the  district industries  centres seeking assistance for new units. Products like flour,  powder, processed curry (chakka puzhukku), pickles, ready to use curry  mix made of unripe jack fruit,  which gives flavours of chicken and mutton curries,  are being planned by the entrepreneurs eying national and international markets.