It's the season of jackfruits in Sirumalai and farmers are busy harvesting the fruits. However, the yield this year has dipped sharply, rue farmers.
“Deficit rainfall in the last monsoon season coupled with damages caused by Gaja cyclone are the reasons for the low yield. One tree would normally yield up to 100 fruits, but this year, the average number of fruits per tree is hardly 25,” said M. Vellimalai, former president of Sirumalai Panchayat and a farmer.
Jackfruit is cultivated in over 400 acres of land atop the Sirumalai hills and the fruit grown here is known for its bright colour and sweet taste. The fruit is sometimes harvested in the unripe stage to be sent to chips factories. “Jackfruit is a long term crop and only a maximum of 15 trees can be planted per acre. Water is the main requirement for a good yield. We tried getting a GI tag for the jackfruit just like how the Sirumalai banana has been accorded with the tag. But somehow, the efforts are now in the back burner. The country variety of jackfruit becomes too pulpy when ripened and hence is preferred for chips in the unripe stage,” he added.
“The size of the fruits has also reduced due to deficit rain. Earlier, one jackfruit would have 250 flesh pieces inside, but now there are only 75 or 100 pieces per fruit,” said V. Vetri, another farmer. “Because of this, the price of the fruit in the Sirumalai shed market in Dindigul has gone up. A fruit that was sold for ₹200 is now sold for ₹500 or ₹600.”
“The Gaja cyclone also caused damages, uprooting many trees, causing a dip in production. The government should take steps to construct more check dams uphill, so that rain water can be stored and used for irrigation. The horticulture department gives incentives to support cultivation of lemon and banana. Similarly, incentives should be given for jackfruit in Sirumalai,” added Vellimalai.
