India: Jackfruit Promotion Council formed

Leading voluntary organisations and local self-governm ent institutions (LSGIs), in association with the State Horticulture Mission and NABARD, have formed a Jackfruit Promotion Council (JPC) for the promotion of jackfruit in the context of food security and production of value-added products for wider consumption.

A statement here said that the formation of the JPC is a follow-up to the Jackfruit Festival-2011 held in the city. A 25-member governing council with Rufus Daniel, vice- president, District Panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram, as the chairperson has been elected. The other members include K Prathapan, Director, State Horticulture Mission (SHM); Dr Mary Ukru, Professor, Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani (vice-chairpersons); L Pankajakshan, director, Santhigram (general secretary); V Manilal, (secretary-administration) and R Saralakumari (secretary-finance).

The statement said that NABARD has lauded the efforts of the JPC and offered assistance for the state-level training of trainers’ programme (ToT) and support for innovation in development of the sector, in association with the State Horticulture Mission.

Faculty from Agriculture University, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, NGOs and activists engaged in jackfruit promotion will be the resource persons. The participants in the training will also be provided relevant skills in entrepreneurship.

The JPC is aimed at working with government institutions, LSGIs, non-governmental organisations, farmer groups, SHGs and residents’ associations for the cause of jackfruit, which is wasted to a large extent.Membership is open to institutions and individuals interested in the promotion of jackfruit.

Source: ibnlive.in.com