Better days ahead for jackfruit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thanks to the wonderful response that the Jackfruit Festival generated in the city, the fruit might finally see better days ahead. A mobile jackfruit bazaar, which would sell value-added products made of the fruit, was flagged off in the city on Thursday.So, the next time you feel like munching on items made of jackfruit, the bazaar might just come to your aid.The ‘Mobile Jack Bazaar’ is a joint venture of the State Horticulture Mission and Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA).As many as 20 products are displayed at the mobile market set up in an altered car which will roll through major points in the city. One would get to see several new products which can hardly be spotted in the open market.A packet of ‘solar dried jackfruit’ of 100 grams will cost Rs 17. ‘Chakkakkuru peda’, yet another product, which is a sweet made out of jackfruit seed, is another experimentation with the fruit. A packet of eight costs Rs 30.Jackfruit wine makes another wonder; for, all those who are ready to spare Rs 150 for half a litre of this drink can take it home. Then ‘chakka varatti’, jackfruit jam, fresh jackfruit arils, jackfruit chips.... the list goes on.If you are fond of trying various recipes with jackfruit, there are cookery books ‘Chakka vibhavangal-soup muthal dessert vare’ and ‘jackfruit recipe’ available at the mobile bazaar. ‘Plavum Njanum’ by K R Jayan may help you take a jaunt through the significance of the jackfruit tree.The products are brought from various self-employed units across the State and from some companies that make jackfruit products commercially."The venture is intended to facilitate the producers to market their products. Self-employed women’s groups are the major section aimed to be promoted. After evaluating the response of the public towards this initial step, the bazaar will be set up in all other districts,” says K Prathapan, mission director of State Horticulture Mission Kerala.The idea of mobile jackfruit bazaar evolved after the huge response of the public towards the  National Jackfruit Festival held at the Kanakakkunnu Palace ground in June this year.According to C Suresh Kumar, general secretary of CISSA, “during the Jackfruit Festival, some hundred recipes were taught to interested people. Marketing the products was a major roadblock found by many. When a venture like the mobile bazaar is on, we hope more people will come up with their initiative. Gradually, we intend to make a mass production out of the joined effort of all tiny units. There are jackfruit varieties available in all seasons, other than the seasonal ones. By utilising these fruits, jackfruit products can be made all through the year,” he said.At present, the only mobile unit in the city will roll through Statue Junction, East Fort and Pattom. It may also cover some residents’ associations and stop for a particular time there. The bazaar also sells the saplings of jackfruit tree, the rate of which will vary according to its availability. Jackfruit ‘pappadam’ and jackfruit pickle will soon find its way to the bazaar.The mobile market was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan on the Kanakakkunnu palace grounds and the flagging off ceremony was done by State Horticulture Mission director K Prathapan.First sale was done by the Minister by handing over the product to District Panchayat vice-president Rufus Daniel.