Detailed Project Report Meghalaya Basin Development Authority

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Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

The jackfruit is the largest tree-born fruit in the world. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Wikipedia: Jackfruit

Jackfruit, the biggest organic fruit is one among our highly neglected food

resource. It is paradoxical that we are wasting 70 to 80 per cent (approx.) of the total production in Garo Hills. Jackfruit and its value added products have good demand in India. Unfortunately, till now proper supply chains have not been created. There is absolute absence of value addition and proper utilization of jackfruit. Despite losing lot of good genetic types, we havent put efforts to identify and propagate twice bearing, all season, early bearing and heavily bearing types. At National level also the situation is unexciting. Countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines have succeeded in developing best practices of jackfruit farming as well as value addition. Of late, farming communities have started to have a second look at Jackfruit. In the last two years, 25 Jack Festivals were held in Kerala and Karnataka. A wave of new interest is spreading. Identification of good local variety jack trees and propagation has started in some areas.

East Garo Hills District of Meghalaya falls under sub-tropical climatic zone
and hence, there are abundant jack fruit trees in the district. Jack fruit is an underutilized fruit crops in the district and is locally consumed at the house hold level. The fruits are rotting under the tree itself due to negligence and non availability of value additions including awareness amongst the rural communities. East Garo Hills District in particular and the entire Garo Hills in general is the seed bed of jack fruit and the climate is very much suitable for this underutilized crop.

In this backdrop, it is proposed to conduct a 2-day Jack Fruit festival

at Williamnagar tentatively from in the last part of June 2013 with an aim to create large scale awareness about the fruit as well as explore and nurture the livelihood opportunities with jackfruit.

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

The Wonder Fruit

Jack

fruit or Panasa scientifically known as Artocarpus heterophylla Lam belongs to the family Moraceae and the fruit, a gigantic syncarp, is the largest fruit of the world. Jackfruit tree has strong solid trunk and grows upto 50 to 60 feet. The barks, leaves and fruits of this tree contain latex. The leaves are oval in shape, glossy in appearance and leathery to touch. The tree bears both male and female flowers. The fruits (Jackfruit) are huge and weigh 5 to 25 kilograms. The huge jackfruit contains many small fleshy fruits inside. These small fruits contain seeds which are hard and starchy. The flesh of these small fruits is either crisp or soft depending on the variety of tree. It is popularly known as poor mans fruit in the eastern and southern parts of India. The jackfruit is a multi-purpose species providing food, timber, fuel, fodder, medicinal and industrial products. It is a nutritious fruit, rich in vitamins A, B and C, potassium, calcium, iron, proteins and carbohydrates. Due to the high levels of carbohydrates, jackfruit supplements other staple foods in times of scarcity in some regions.

Genetic

Variability: Jackfruit has innumerable types or forms of fruit characteristics. These types differ widely among themselves on bearing and density of spines on the rind, fruit bearing, size, shape, quality and period of maturity. Being a cross pollinated crop wide variation is observed for all important quantitative characters like fruit size, shape, colour, yield, flowering season, period of maturity etc. There is wide variability in the sweetness, acidity, flavour and taste. The variations observed among clones offer better scope for improvement through clonal selection. Many local varieties like Gulabi, Thamarachakka, Champa etc have originated in this way (Mitra, 1998). Muttom varikka (Sreenivasan, 1970), Thenvarikka, Palodan varikka and Singapore varikka are important varikka varieties. Burliar-1, Paler-1 and Peechiparai-1 are promising single plant selections released by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (Veera raghava dattam et al, 1996).

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

Propagation: Commercial cultivation of jackfruit is still at a primitive stage

in India, primarily because of the difficulty in procuring elite planting materials. Jack is easily propagated through seeds. The seedlings take 8- 10 years to bear fruits. Due to the highly cross pollinated nature of the crop, vegetative propagation is essential in order to get true to type plants. Vegetative propagation through cutting, layering, budding and grafting has been reported by various workers with varying amount of success. In Kerala inarching is still the most common method of vegetative propagation followed. This method is cumbersome as the seedlings have to be carried to the mother tree from which the grafts are to be produced. Soft wood grafting and patch budding are the two promising vegetative propagation methods in jack.

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

ackfruit is

known in colloquial Bengali as Gaach Patha, which means tree-born goat. The jackfruit has the right texture to pass for meat. It absorbs spices and sauces much better than meat and the appearance is also exotic.

uch More Than Just A Fruit

Jackfruit is much more than just a fruit. It is a complete package in terms of utility. The pulp of the young fruit is cooked as a vegetable, pickled or canned. Pulp of ripe fruit is eaten fresh or made into various local delicacies including chutney, jam, jelly, and paste, or preserved as candies by drying or mixing with sugar, honey or syrup. The pulp is also used to flavour ice cream and beverages, made into jackfruit honey, reduced to concentrate or powder, and used for preparing drinks. The seeds can be eaten boiled, roasted or dried and salted as table nuts, or they can be ground to make flour and blended with wheat flour for baking. Young leaves can be used as fodder for cattle and other livestock.

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

Three Super Jack Formulas

Using the following formulas we can estimate Weight of bulbs , Weight of rind and Weight of seeds in a Jack Fruit without opening it . 1. We = (0.38Wf - 0.41) + 0.06 2. Ws = (0.10Wf + 0.19) + 0.02 3. Wm = (0.51 Wf +0.26) + 0.04
Where Wf is the weight of the whole fruit We is the weight of the bulbs Ws is the weight of the seeds Wm is the weight of the rind

These formulas were presented in the state level workshop on jack fruit "Panasam 09" by Dr N Sudhodhanan , Asst Director , Dept of Animal Husbandry, Palakkad

A yellow dye can also be extracted from the wood particles and used to dye cotton. The latex which flows from all parts of the plant when injured is also used as adhesive. The resins within the latex may also have some value in varnishes. The timber is a medium hardwood with desirable characteristics in making furniture, oars, implements and musical instruments and the wood is also used in construction. It is termite proof and fairly resistant to fungal and bacterial decay. The roots of older trees are good materials for carving and picture framing. The timber is exported from Sri Lanka and India to Europe. With its dense crown and leathery broad glabrous leaves, it is an attractive tree. The trees may also serve as shade for coffee and as support for black pepper (Piper nigrum).

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

Different parts of the jackfruit tree have medicinal properties. The pulp and seeds are used as a tonic, the warmed leaves have healing properties if placed onto wounds, and the latex, mixed with vinegar promotes healing of abscesses, snakebite and glandular swellings. The wood has a sedative effect and its pith is said to cause abortion. The root extract is used as a remedy against skin diseases, asthma, fever and diarrhea. According to Aurveda, jack fruit can redue Kapha and Pitha. Regular consumption of jack fruit will improve facial skin glow and seeds have an aphrodisiac effect. Being a rich source of Potassium it is an ideal food for patients with hypertension. Processing, preservation and Value addition of jack fruits A major chunk of Garo Hills Jackfruit is wasted in the absence of scientific processing and preservation. Different types of value-added products can be prepared by processing of jackfruit bulbs, seeds and rind. Value added products like jackfruit halwa, jackfruit finger chips, jackfruit Ready-to-Serve (RTS) beverage, jackfruit candy, jackfruit bar, jackfruit srikhand, jackfruit kulfi, jackfruit bulbs. Jackfruit bulb flour was also utilized in the preparation of pakoda, dairy and bakery products like biscuits, muffins and ice creams. Value added products like Jack seed masala vada, Jack seed flour, fortified jack seed chapathi can be prepared from the Jack fruit seed. Jackfruit rind is very good source of pectin and this can be extracted from the rind. The rind can be used for pickling.

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

Nutritional value Both tender and ripe fruits and the seeds are rich in minerals and vitamins. Ripe fruits are rich in vitamin A, which maintain good vision. Vitamin B complex helps convert food into energy. Iron, is present in blood, which is involved in the movement of oxygen through the body. Income generation The yield of jackfruit trees may vary year to year depending on management and climatic factors. However, it bears fruits every year and thus provides a source of income. Its average yield is approximately 10 t/ha. Tender fruits can be sold as a vegetable, bringing early income before peak fruiting season. Ripe fruits can also be sold either fresh or processed. Additional income may be earned by intercropping the open space between trees until the tree canopy closes by growing short duration pulses, spices and vegetables, if water availability is not limited. Cultural Popular fruit in tropical and subtropical countries and most Asian cultures value jackfruit primarily as a food. In Hindu communities, jackfruit leaves are often used in temple worship. Buddhist priests use the fruit to colour their robes. Wood yields yellow dye when wood chips are boiled. Medicinal value Parts of jackfruit trees are used in traditional medicine throughout tropical Asia. However, no major clinical evidence is available to support these uses and a medical practitioner should be consulted. Roots An extract of roots is used in treating skin diseases, asthma and diarrhoea.

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

Leaves An extract from leaves and latex treats asthma, prevents ringworm infestation, and heals cracking of the feet. An infusion of mature leaves and bark is used to treat diabetes and gall stones. A tea made with dried and powdered leaves is taken to relieve asthma. Heated leaves can treat wounds, abscesses and ear problems, and relieve pain. Bark An extract from bark or rags (the non-edible portion of ripe fruits) or roots is used in the treatment of dysentery and release of the placenta after calving in cows. Ashes produced by burning bark can treat abscesses and ear problems. Extract from seeds or bark helps digestion. Other uses Crushed inflorescence is used to reduce bleeding in open wounds. Ripe fruits can be used as a laxative. Seeds Extract from freshly extracted seeds is used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery Fuel and timber Jackfruit trees yield valuable timber for making high quality furniture, for house construction, masts, oars and musical instruments. The fallen leaves and pruned twigs and branches can be used as household fuel. Fodder Leaves are a useful fodder for goats. Ecological and environmental value The jackfruit canopy provides perennial cover to the soil, acting as a shade tree and absorbing the impact of rain on the soil. Soil fertility is improved if fallen leaves are allowed to rot and incorporated in to the soil. Weed growth is reduced when leaf mulches are used. The action of roots particularly taproots growing into soil benefits soil structure by reducing compaction, and facilitates soil conservation. The tree can reduce the effects of wind planted around a homestead.

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

To calculate the amount of wastage, in the absence of proper statistics, certain logical assumptions were made: On average every Household in Garo Hills has control over 5 Jackfruit trees On average every Jack fruit bears 50 fruits in one season It is known that the market price of ripe Jackfruit in Guwahati Rs. 150/(average). The value of a ripe jackfruit at the village market can be safely assumed to be Rs. 80/-.

The Wastage in East Gao Hills in One Season

As per Census 2011, the number of Households in East Garo Hills (undivided) No. of Jackfruit trees (reap able by HHs) No. of Jackfruits The value of these Jackfruits at village market If 20% of the fruits are locally consumed, the value of remaining fruits, which otherwise rot under the tree 74,216

3,71,080 (= 5 x 74216) 1,85,54,000 (= 5 x 371080) Rs. 148,43,20,000.00 ( = 80 x 18554000) Rs.118,74,56,000.00

The wastage in entire Garo Hills in One Season As per Census 2011, the number of Households in Garo Hills The wastage in entire Garo Hills 271804 Rs. 434,88,64,000.00 ( = Rs.118,74,56,000.00 x 271804/74216)

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

4.1 The Reasons for wastage

Lack of Awareness amongst the farming community Lack of entrepreneurship facilitation for value addition Lack of Infrastructure such as transportation and storage facilities Lack of Market linkages and absence of value chain.
4.2 Need of The Hour Awareness: Rural Communities need to know the value of every jack fruit tree and for which, awareness at the village level is necessary. Capacity building of the community at large is the key mantra to make them aware and make them realize the kind of wastage of fruits and economy that they are losing, that can ultimately lift their livelihood if properly tapped and further value addition. Value Additions: Value additions of jackfruit can enable to recover the loss created. Analyzing the value chain of jackfruit selected entrepreneurs, can undergo various training at the village level. Self Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) can come forward in processing and packaging of various jackfruit produces. Transport: Transportation is the main hindrances; hence, collective centers at the village/cluster level needs to be created. The fruits should be graded by the community at large and further packed and collective transportation facilities can be made available by small vehicles like trucks to the neighboring markets.

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

Processing If fruits are used for further processing at the village or cluster level, proper hygiene and sanitation, costs for grading, cleaning, processing, packaging and storing have to be taken into account. Processed products command higher prices in the market and can be more easily transported. High transportation costs can be a constraint for fresh, perishable fruit. Use grading standards for fruit. Improve packaging to minimise spoilage. Post-harvest operations Removal of immature, over-ripe, damaged and misshapen fruits are usually undertaken. The fruit are further graded according to size as follows: Large: weighing 16 kg and above. Medium: weighing 8 kg to 16 kg. Small: weighing below 8 kg. Fruits have to be washed using chlorinated water (100 ppm) to remove dirt, latex stains and any field contamination. Excess moisture from the surface of the fruit should be carried out by draining the fruit for further processing or storing. Marketing: Farmers and collectors face several problems when marketing fruits: Proximity of markets is the concept of reducing the loss. Transportation is a major marketing cost. The means of transport used are by carts or trucks to nearby town or village markets for retail sale or wholesale to visiting tradesmen from larger towns is minimal and due to this shortage, the produces get rotten and finally dumped, without even knowing the value of its seeds. Canned and other processed products have high value and can be stored for a longer duration, hence have high value.

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

he Jackfruit Festival
5.1 Aims and Objectives of the Festival Creating Awareness amongst the community on benefits of Jack Fruit, which is a underutilized fruit. Providing a platform for enthusiastic farmers Providing technical knowhow to entrepreneurs for Processing and Packaging technologies in jackfruit Exploring the possibility to create a community owned Product Value Chains Creating an opportunity to enable the rural community and business community to come in one platform for procurement, processing, trade and marketing and further investment and possible sustainable livelihood for rural poor .

5.2 The Convergence: Institutions/Departments to be involved Agriculture Horticulture Social Forestry & Territorial Soil and Water Tourism DRDA DIC DIPR Leading Print and Visual Media Partners School & Colleges NGOs Rural Farmers Business Institutions and Traders Banks (SBI, MCAB, MRB HDFC, ICICI) Home Science College, Tura KVK and other extension institutions

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District

5.3 Elements of the Proposal Wide Publicity about Jackfruit and the Festival- pamphlets/banner/Public Announcement till the village level. DIPR, Print media and Digital Media Stalls - Entrepreneurs/Experts/Fruit processing Industries/Traders/ Exporters from the country and abroad will be invited. DCIC and leading entrepreneurs and Traders can play an important role in this sector. 2 Day State level work shop on Jack fruit- for local food security and Livelihood Cooking Competition of Jackfruit Products Jackfruit Eating Competition -in record time-creating either Limca Book of Record/Guniesses Book of Record- Meghalaya Tourism Department Biggest Jackfruit Competition Farmers bringing the Heaviest and Largest Jackfruit will be suitably rewarded Display of various fruit processing technologies-machinery- tools and implements- Suppliers

Seminar on jack fruit processing technologies to be supported by DCIC, Tura Polytechnic Fruit Processing Division at the Cluster levels/Block level/District level.
Byers and Seller Meet

Basin Development Unit, East Garo Hills District