Karnataka   

Light investment for the heavy fruit

Profitable: A farmer can earn Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 a year on every jackfruit tree.

Among the fruits suitable for dryland farming, jackfruit is considered one of the recommendable ones.

Largely popular in Malnad areas of the State, the massive fruit is also grown in Chitradurga district in a relatively large area. The fruit is also used as vegetable and to prepare snacks.

The fruit, according to the Horticulture Department, is grown in around 200 hectares of land in the district. It is largely grown in Challakere, Hosadurga and Chitradurga taluks.

Department’s technical assistant P. Vishwanath said that jackfruit is a profitable crop which does not require heavy investment and maintenance cost. The crop demands minimum maintenance except a little care during flowering and fruit-forming period. “During this time, chemicals need to be sprayed for better yield and to avoid pest attack,” he said.

The annual maintenance cost of each tree comes to about Rs. 160. A normal tree produces 20 to 200 fruits, which could weigh up to 35 kg. The fruit yielding period begins within four years of plantation, while life of the tree can even reach a century. With each tree, a farmer could earn Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 a year.

Due to excess presence of sticky substance in the fruit, many people avoid eating it. To overcome this problem, a new species called Grafted Gum-less Juice has been developed which is becoming popular, said Mr. Vishwanath. Other variety such as Jangere are traditionally popular for their taste and size.

Mr. Vishwanath advised farmers to cultivate grafted plants instead of seedlings, which takes lesser time to grow.

He said the department was not giving any special subsidy on the plants, however subsidy up to 75 per cent could be availed for drip irrigation for the plants.

“The fruit is not included under the National Horticulture Mission for providing financial aid, however if the farmers demand, a recommendation can be made to the Government to including it in the scheme”, he added.

FIROZ ROZINDAR IN CHITRADURGA

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