Wed, June 24, 2026
Thiruvananthapuram- Long regarded as the "poor man's fruit" for its role in feeding generations of Kerala households, jackfruit is now set to be promoted as a nutritious health food, with the Kerala government preparing a comprehensive plan to highlight its medicinal and nutritional value.
State Agriculture Minister T. Siddique announced that the government will work with the Health Department to develop a strategy aimed at increasing public awareness of the health benefits of jackfruit, which is also Kerala's official state fruit.
The announcement came during the inauguration of a seminar on the medicinal properties of raw jackfruit, organised by the Jackfruit Promotion Council. Despite Kerala producing nearly 14.3 lakh tonnes of jackfruit every year, only a small share of the harvest is commercially utilised.
Siddique said the Agriculture Department would also play a key role in the initiative to ensure the fruit's nutritional and medicinal advantages are widely promoted among patients and the general public.
"For generations, jackfruit has been a staple in Kerala households. However, its nutritional and medicinal value has not been adequately recognised. We need to create greater public awareness," the minister said.
Jackfruit has long been an integral part of Kerala's culinary tradition. From boiled jackfruit and traditional curries to chips, jams and desserts, it has served as an affordable and nutritious food, especially for ordinary families during the harvest season.
The seminar featured researchers who shared findings on the fruit's health potential. Dr B. Padmakumar, former Principal of Alappuzha Medical College, presented the results of a study involving 100 people on jackfruit consumption, while Dr Thomas Varghese, Oncology Director at St Joseph's Hospital in Manjummel, discussed research related to cancer patients.
The Jackfruit Promotion Council also submitted a master plan to the minister outlining research findings, future opportunities and strategies for promoting the fruit.
The campaign extended beyond the seminar venue, with the Kerala Legislative Assembly canteen serving a variety of innovative jackfruit-based dishes, giving legislators and visitors an opportunity to experience the versatile fruit in different forms.
Participants at the seminar also stressed the importance of introducing awareness programmes in schools and colleges to encourage younger generations to embrace jackfruit as a healthy dietary choice.
WIth inputs from IANS
| 14-09-2018 | ||||||
| Sl No. | Parameters | Actual Data(µg/m3) | Standard Limit(µg/m3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PM 10 | 64 | 100 |
| 2 | PM 2.5 | 33 | 60 |
| 3 | SO2 | 55.3 | 80 |
| 4 | NO2 | 58.2 | 80 |
| 14-09-2018 | ||||||
| Station | Temperature(degree centigrade) | Rainfall(mm) | Relative humidity(%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max | Min | Past 24 hrs. | Since 1st March, 2018 | Max | Min | |
| Ranchi | 31.0 | 22.5 | 000.0 | 1010.1 | 95 | 66 |
| Jamshedpur | 34.1 | 26.2 | 000.0 | 1252.8 | 87 | 58 |
| Bokaro | 33.5 | 24.6 | 015.2 | 824.0 | 92 | 79 |
| Daltonganj | 32.6 | 24.9 | 004.2 | 960.9 | 95 | 67 |
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