Identification of Genetic Diversity, Production, and Marketing of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) through Jackfruit Growers Association

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is one of the most popular, highly versatile, underutilized multipurpose fruit crop valued for its timber, fuel, fodder, medicinal and industrial products. The present work is a case study in villages of Tubagere cluster, Bengaluru Rural district, Karnataka, India by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). The work involved identification of elite progenies of jack, formation of Jack Growers Association for improvement in production, management, marketing of fruits and their value added products. Wide variability was observed among 34 elite jack progenies and a tree of 300 years age was found promising in quantitative and qualitative characters. As the age of the tree increased, there was increase in yield potential.

The income obtained by farmers from sale of fruits to middle men was 45% lesser than the actual value. The farmers grouped into Jack Growers Association to avoid dispersion of produce, poor access to information, technology and finance, inconsistent volume and quality. This association trained 35 rural youth in grafting techniques who earned substantially higher income by selling jack grafts. To meet the increasing demand for jack grafts, KVK established horticulture nursery to maintain true-to types through grafting for supply to farmers. Jack exhibitions were organized, which increased the income levels of farmers by 5 folds through value addition and direct marketing. Fifteen jack exhibitions were organized, in which 280 farmers participated, sold 300,000 kilograms of fruits and generated 500% more income collectively. Further, value added jack products like rasayana, juice, jam, pappad, chips, noodles, roti and sweets like halwa, laddu are being prepared by farm women for sale at various outlets. Companies like Natural Ice Creams Limited, Bengaluru are procuring jack fruits from this association regularly. With all these interventions, the jack growers are earning substantial income due to well organized production, processing and marketing activities.