Jackfruit, the super food that dietitians across the world have been recommending, is all set to become the state fruit of Kerala, one of its largest producers and consumers.
It was the Kerala Agriculture Department that put forth the suggestion which won the chief minister’s nod. The state government will make an official declaration in this regard on March 21. Unlike the one's produced in other states, the jackfruit which grows in Kerala is free of pesticides and artificial manure.
The government also plans to promote the 'Kerala Jack fruit' as a brand in markets across the country and abroad, highlighting its organic and nutritious qualities.
The government expects a turnover of Rs 1,500cr from the sale and marketing of jackfruit. The raw material for the mass production of chakka chappati, poori, puttu and upma are readily available in the market. The fibre-rich fruit helps keep diabetes at bay and is a good weight-slayer.
Elephant is the state animal of Kerala, while 'great hornbill' the bird and 'kanikkonna' the official flower.
The state had recently declared pearl spot, popularly known as 'karimeen', as its official fish.
