Bhubaneswar, July 4: As Odisha observes Jackfruit Day today, a new high-yielding jackfruit variety, Palur-1, has emerged as a promising option for farmers. Capable of bearing fruit twice a year and producing larger fruits than the traditional indigenous variety, Palur-1 is expected to boost farmers' income and promote commercial jackfruit cultivation in the state.
Developed in Tamil Nadu, Palur-1 bears fruit twice annually—first during April to June and again in November and December. Each tree can yield 60 to 80 fruitsevery year, with individual fruits weighing up to 12 kg. Besides fresh consumption, the variety can be processed into nearly 100 value-added products, including flour, powder, pickles and papad.
The Centre of Excellence for Horticulture at Deras, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, has planted around 1,500 Palur-1 saplings. The trees, planted two years ago, have now started bearing fruit. Officials of the Horticulture Department said the variety commands a higher market price than conventional jackfruit, making it a commercially viable option for farmers. The department also plans to commercialise the saplings in the near future.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Government has expanded its Jackfruit Mission to promote commercial cultivation and value addition. The programme, which initially covered nine districts, has now been extended to 11 districts—Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Koraput, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Sundargarh, Angul, Balangir and Bargarh. The mission is currently being implemented across **59 blocks.
Despite the government's initiative, farmers continue to face marketing challenges. Growers often transport their produce to neighbouring states such as Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh due to inadequate marketing facilities within Odisha, forcing them to sell at lower prices. Farmers have demanded better market linkages to ensure fair returns.
To strengthen the identity of Odisha's indigenous jackfruit varieties, the state has assigned the Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station (RRTTS), G. Udayagiri, under the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), to undertake research and promotion activities.
Under the leadership of Professor Gyanaloka Das, surveys are being conducted in Ganjam, Kandhamal, Gajapati and Rayagada districts to identify and document native jackfruit varieties. The project will also promote value-added products such as chips, pakodas, Manchurian, khaja, pickles, papad, tikka and kebabs while training farmers in processing techniques.
Researchers aim to identify **five indigenous jackfruit varieties** from Odisha over the next five years. According to Professor Das, some trees in G. Udayagiri bear fruit throughout the year, and efforts are underway to identify, brand and promote such perennial varieties.
The State Horticulture Department has also established **three techno-incubation centres** in Koraput, Keonjhar and Kandhamal to provide training, marketing support and pricing assistance. Women's Self-Help Groups and **Subhadra Shakti** groups are also being encouraged to produce and market jackfruit-based products, with the government expecting value addition to enhance farmers' incomes.
