Crowds throng jackfruit festival

10-day expo being held in Pathanamthitta

HOT FAVOURITE:A view of the jackfruit expo being held at the District Stadium in Pathanamthitta on Sunday.

Jackfruit is no ordinary fruit. The flow of crowds to the Jackfruit Fest-2016 organised by the Jackfruit Promotion Consortium (JPC), in association with the Centre for Innovation in Sciences and Social Action, at the District Stadium here, stands testimony to the people’s growing passion for relishing different delicacies made of this tropical fruit.

“We have been getting huge public response to the ‘jackfruit meals’ served at the food court set up at the exhibition hall. People wait for their turn to find a seat to relish the 10-course meal made of jackfruit, that includes payasam,” says Laila Mannil, JPC president, who is optimistic of the huge marketing potential of jackfruit.

As many as 50 entrepreneurs from different parts of the State have opened their stalls at the jackfruit festival.

Delectable medley

Different types of halwas, pedas, burfis, laddus, jam rolls, shakes, jilebis, pastries, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, cutlets, have become the favourites of the foodies visiting the expo.

Jayakumar P.K, JPC vice-president, and Santhoshkumar, treasurer, also see a bright future for the jackfruit industry, provided the State and the Centre extended support to the entrepreneurs and farmers.

Suneesh C.D, advisor to JPC, told The Hindu that the fruits grown in the State homesteads were largely under-utilised and mostly go waste, which at the same time are high valued fruits in other parts of the country. Absence of a professional marketing system and low value of the crop were the major hindrances in its commercial exploitation, he said.

Ms Mannil said jackfruit contains many vitamins and minerals and offers numerous health benefits and it is high time the government came forward to support the farmers and entrepreneurs in the State. “What we need is a comprehensive jackfruit promotion policy that very well defines the aspects of marketing of various jackfruit products, technology upgradation, setting up of district-level food incubation centres, research and development centres,” Ms Mannil said. The 10-day expo will come to a close on August 28.