Abstract:
Jackfruit is a multi-utility crop and is one of the least researched fruit crops in the
world. It is believed to have originated in the Western Ghats region and is mostly
cultivated in the South and Southeast Asia. India is the largest producer of Jackfruit
followed by Bangladesh and Thailand. A special variety of jackfruit with red flesh is
found in the Tumkur district of Karnataka. In fact, majority of the farmers in these
regions mostly grow red varieties and have been conserving this for many years. The
red fleshed jackfruits are late maturing compared to yellow ones and the fruits will be
available from June, July till August. The major attraction for red fleshed jackfruit is its
colour. This colour shows different variations like deep orange, orange yellow, coppery
red, tip alone orange etc. Apart from the colour, these varieties are having less aroma
and sweetness and may appeal to those customers who don’t like the strong aroma of
yellow fleshed ones. Given the additional nutritional benefits of red jack as well as
venturing into osmodehydrated products highlights its huge potential in the market.
There is a need to promote red jack as ‘different’ in order to help the famers to get
better prices. The transition of this unorganized way of production and sale of red jack
to a more organized and commercial method will ensure a sustainable livelihood and
improves the living conditions of the farmers.
Description:
Fourteenth Biennial Conference on Entrepreneurship/ Edited by Rajeev Sharma, Sunil Shukla, Amit Kumar Dwivedi & Ganapathi Batthini
