Keonjhar: The Odisha Jackfruit Mission (OJM) has taken root in Keonjhar district as plans are afoot to open ‘jackfruit cafes’ with an aim to help tribal communities and farmers make better use of the crop and prevent distress sales.
With the rising demand for jackfruit, especially the raw variety, the state Horticulture department has launched an ambitious initiative to promote jackfruit-based food production.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi officially inaugurated the mission during a recent visit to Keonjhar. Under the initiative, a jackfruit processing unit funded by the department has been established in Kuanr village under Banspal block at a cost of Rs 3.29 crore.
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To run the unit efficiently, Hingula Farmer Producer Company from Brahmagiri in Puri district signed an agreement with the district administration in Keonjhar Wednesday. The company will provide training to local women’s groups in food processing and help them market the products.
Various jackfruit-based items such as chips, jams, pickles, flour, and even fermented drinks will be prepared. The district will soon see the opening of kiosk-style ‘Jackfruit Cafes’ modelled after ‘Millet Cafes’ in various urban areas and towns, where snacks like jackfruit upma and fast food variants will be available, said Soumendra Narayan Panigrahi, Deputy Director of district Horticulture department.
He added that other jackfruit products, including beverages and sweets, are in the pipeline. The soil and climate of Keonjhar district are highly favourable for jackfruit cultivation, making it ideal for year-round farming. Farmers will also receive training to produce two harvests per year.
The mission is expected to create numerous employment opportunities while also offering local residents healthy and tasty food options. Future plans also include processing other fruits like mango, papaya, and guava, and producing items such as juices and pickles.
Jackfruit is grown in abundance in Banspal, Sadar Harichandanpur, Telkoi, Ghatagaon, Patana, and Joda blocks in the district, along with other fruits. With increasing shipments of raw jackfruit to other states, the mission is poised to help farmers and forest dwellers get better value for their produce.
PNN
