Kozhikode: Our Jackfruit (JF) is going global through a 121-member Whatsapp group of a vice-chancellor, horticulture scientists, hoteliers, entrepreneurs, farmers and a host of JF enthusiasts from countries like the US, the UK, Malaysia, Indonesia and Mexico besides India. The information shared in the Aranmula Jackfruit group triggered many successful experiments with JF.
Stephanie Shelton, an hotelier in Kansas City of the US, replaced meat in Tamale (steamed Mexican dish) with JF, and it became a huge hit. The gluten free JF Tamale is shipped frozen and now available all over the continental US.
Thea Ford, a UK woman running a coffee bar, has multiplied her customers by introducing ‘Jaffee’, the coffee brewed from JF.
“The group is providing useful information. For instance, farmers in Maharashtra never knew that JF is available in September, November months anywhere. That belief has fallen through,” says Sree Padre, the well-known agricultural journalist.
Upendra Pendse, an entrepreneur from Dapoli, Maharashtra, introduced ‘frozen ready to cook JF’ and he sold a tonne last year.
“Recipes for various products off JF are first discussed in the group," Vishnu K. Santhosh of Aranmula, who started the group a few months back, said.
"Several new products like vacuum fry chips, products from JF seed, methods for commercialisation etc. were discussed threadbare.”
Mr Santhosh was the coordinator of JF festival conducted in Aranmula in last May and he created the group to sustain the tempo and innovative ideas to promote the fruit.
Dr G. Karunakaran, head, Central Horticultural Experiment Station (CHES), ICAR, in Tumkur, told DC that after the group interaction, he had initiated conservation of JF diversity products at CHES. Dr D.L. Maheshwar, VC of University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, is an active member.
