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Udupi: Two-day jackfruit fest attracts farmers, visitors in large numbers

Udupi, Jul 1: The two-day state-level jackfruit festival was off to a splendid start on Friday, July 1 with a large number of people flocking the venue.

The jackfruit festival has been jointly organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Brahmavar, Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, Kundapur, horticulture and forest department, Udupi, and other organisations at Rajangana hall of Shree Krishna Math here.
The festival was inaugurated by Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji in the presence of Sri Vishwaprasannateertha Swamiji and district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj.

The visitors enjoyed the delicious tastes of a variety of jackfruit dishes.

Jackfruit Installation art by Srinath Manipal, Venki Palimaru and Ravi of manipal Sand Arts.

Speaking to daijiworld, Veronica Cornelio, chairman of Karnataka Soap and Detergents Limited said, "There are different varieties of jackfruit products. I have never seen so many varieties of jackfruit. Jackfruit tea powder is also available, which I did not know. I had the opportunity to taste different varieties of dishes. This is the best season for sale of such products. Earlier, I had seen many of these varieties only on WhatsApp."

Hanumanthappa, assistant research director said, "Farmers have arrived for the fest from faraway places such as Chikkaballapur, Sakrebailu, Belagavi and Doddaballapur. We are getting good response from the public and hope to see a good sale."

Jackfruit seller Ravikumar from Chikkaballapur said, "I brought three tons of five to six different varieties of jackfruits from my place. I am happy with the business here. We have an organization of 140 members at Thopakere village. The group was started in 2009. It is truly a profitable and cost effective crop.

"In the beginning, our profit was Rs 4 lac and now we are earning upto Rs 28 lac. Nearly 3,500 varieties of jackfruit trees are planted in Thopakere village," he added.

Farmers have put up stalls to sell items such as jackfruit chips, jackfruit raw chips, jackfruit chips powder, sweet and spicy papad and much more. Some of them offered free slices of jackfruit to people. Many varieties of jackfruits such as red Rudrakshi, Chandra, Rkadashi etc have been displayed in the fruit fest.

Approximately 20 to 25 stalls have been set up. Farmers, self-help groups and farmers’ association members are actively participating in the festival.

’Adike’ magazine editor Shree Padre held an hour-long session on ’Speciality of jackfruit in Karnataka and scope for farmers’.

Jackfruit Installation art by Srinath Manipal, Venki Palimaru and Ravi of manipal Sand Arts.

Jackfruit Installation art by Srinath Manipal, Venki Palimaru and Ravi of manipal Sand Arts.