Red-fleshed jackfruit ‘Chandra Halasu’ was in great demand at this year’s first jackfruit mela.
The demand was such that a youth from Thirthahalli, who sold them at the mela, got 60 orders after he exhausted his stock.
The youth said that he would supply the fruit from Thovinakere, Tumakuru, to those who placed the demand within three days.
‘Chandra Halasu’ is very are in the coastal belt.
The mela organised by Savayava Krishika Grahaka Balaga had 48 stalls selling jackfruit and its value-added fruits. Two huge jackfruit weighing 28 kg and 28.7 kg, respectively, from the farm of an organic grower in Mundaje was the cynosure of all eyes.
There was good demand for manchurian made from jackfruit. People thronged the lone stall serving the hot manchurian.
The stall by Maithraye Shenoy serving hot health drink made by jackfruit seed powder attracted all. Software engineer Vasanth Kaje, who has a penchant for making ice creams of different flavours without adding additives, sold jackfruit ice cream added with sesame seeds.
There was a live demonstration on grafting.
People sold jackfruit saplings, happala, jackfruit chips, jackfruit holige and other value added products.
Ratnakar, one of the members of the Savayava Krishika Grahaka Balaga, said that there was overwhelming response to the mela as most of the value-added products and the fruit was sold by noon. “We did not expect this response from people,” he said.