Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that grows abundantly in India, especially in the southern states. It is also known as the “poor man’s fruit” because of its low cost and high nutritional value. Jackfruit is rich in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and antioxidants. It has many health benefits such as improving digestion, boosting immunity, lowering blood pressure, preventing anemia, and fighting infections. Jackfruit is also a versatile ingredient that can be used to make various dishes such as curries, salads, desserts, chips, and even mock meat.
Recently, a unique event was organized in Goa to celebrate jackfruit and its potential. The Jackfruit Festival was inaugurated by the governors of three states: Telangana, Bihar, and Goa at the Raj Bhavan on 10 June 2023. The festival showcased different varieties of jackfruit and its value-added products such as jam, pickle, wine, ice cream, and cake. The festival also aimed to create awareness about the benefits of jackfruit and its role in enhancing food security and livelihoods.
The Jackfruit Festival: A Novel Initiative
The Jackfruit Festival was the brainchild of P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, the governor of Goa. He had planted 71 jackfruit saplings of the Ayur Jack variety on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 71st birthday in September 2021. The Ayur Jack variety is a hybrid developed by George Kulangara and Varghese Tharakal, two jackfruit experts from Kerala. The Ayur Jack variety has a shorter gestation period of 18 months compared to the normal 7-8 years and produces bigger and sweeter fruits.
The jackfruit saplings planted by Pillai at the Raj Bhavan garden started bearing fruits within 20 months and were ready for harvest by June 2023. Pillai invited two other governors, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan of Telangana and Rajendra Arlekar of Bihar, to join him for the harvest and inauguration of the festival. He also invited Prof. H.B. Menon, the vice chancellor of Goa University, Kulangara and Tharakal as the guests of honor.
The festival was held at the New Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan and was attended by several dignitaries, officials and media persons. The festival exhibition displayed different types of jackfruit and its products for tasting and purchase. The guests also planted more saplings of coconut and mango as part of the afforestation drive on the Raj Bhavan campus.
The Jackfruit Festival: A Message for the Nation
The Jackfruit Festival was not just a celebration of a fruit but also a message for the nation. Pillai said that jackfruit is a “Deva Vruksha” or a divine tree that has many medicinal and cultural significance in our daily life. He said that jackfruit can help in addressing the issues of malnutrition, climate change and rural development. He also praised Prime Minister Modi for his vision and leadership and compared the growth of the Ayur Jack variety to his pace of work.
Soundararajan said that she was impressed by the initiative of Pillai and congratulated him for organizing such a unique event. She said that jackfruit is a wonder fruit that can be used for various purposes such as food, medicine, fuel and fodder. She also suggested that jackfruit should be included in the school curriculum to educate the students about its importance.
Arlekar said that he was happy to be part of the festival and thanked Pillai for inviting him. He said that he had attended many festivals such as mango and apple but this was the first time he had seen a jackfruit festival. He said that jackfruit is a native fruit of India that deserves more recognition and promotion.
The Jackfruit Festival: A Success Story
The Jackfruit Festival was a success story that showcased the potential of jackfruit as a sustainable crop that can benefit both farmers and consumers. It also highlighted the innovation and creativity of the people involved in developing new varieties and products from jackfruit. It also demonstrated the cooperation and collaboration among different states and institutions in promoting jackfruit as a national asset.
The Jackfruit Festival was a rare example of how a simple idea can transform into a grand event that can inspire many others. It was also a testimony to how a humble fruit can become a source of pride and joy for many people.
