THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ‘Chakka Vandi’, the vehicle promoting the use of jackfruit launched by the Kudappanakunnu Krishi Bhavan and Karshika Karma Sena, has become an instant hit with the city dwellers. “We are overwhelmed by the public’s response to the jackfruit products we sell at our Eco Shop set up at Kudappanakunnu Krishi Bhavan,” said a senior official at KKS.
“We sell half a kilo of unripe jackfruit for Rs 20 and 350 gm of ripe jackfruit for Rs 20 here. Local farmers get Rs 15 for a kilo, and an average size would weigh between 12 – 13 kilos.” And it’s no wonder too: technicians at KKS have made foodies love koozha chakka, a variety, which they have frowned upon all along for being less tastier than the varikka variety and for being stickier, after processing it and made it available for curry cut pieces, jam and squash. KKS has sold jackfruit products for more that Rs 5,000 in three days after the launch of the vehicle.
There has been a huge demand for jackfruit ever since Sydney University’s Glycemic Index Research Service came out with good news two months ago to all diabetes patients that unripe jackfruit helps fight blood sugar level. The novel initiative by the Kudappanakunnu Karshika Karma Sena will have jackfruit sapling, jam, squash, sip-up, juice, chakkavaratty, chips, mixture, chakka madala pickle, baji, jackfruit coconut stew and jackfruit ice cream in ‘Chakka Vandi’. KKS is also planning to provide training to farmers who are interested in making jackfruit products.
