Thiruvananthapuram: APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University has announced a programme for funding student projects to develop a jackfruit plucking equipment, the absence of which is hitting farmers. B. Tech students of affiliated colleges can submit detailed project proposals to the dean (research), APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, MBA Block, CET Campus, Thiruvananthapuram - 695016 before April 10 in a prescribed format. A teaching faculty member of the institution should be the mentor for each project. A judging committee constituted by the University will select meritorious project proposals which will get up to Rs 50,000 either on individual basis or a group of five.
The equipment should be designed for cutting jack fruits of a maximum size 60cm x 30cm diameter and weight of 30kgs with a safe landing system from a height of 10 metres. In the state, 97 percent of the fruit is lost due to lack of processing and organised marketing. The recent consumer shift towards healthy food habits has given scope for promoting native cuisine made out of local agri-farm products like jackfruits. There has also been a demand from commercial producers for a business linkage of value-added jackfruit products and potential buyers.
