Government of Kerala has declared jackfruit as the state’s official fruit in a bid to present it as a brand in markets in India and abroad.

VS Sunil Kumar, Kerala’s Agriculture minister, announced the decision in the Kerala state assembly on Wednesday.

“The aim is to promote the ‘Kerala Jackfruit’ as a brand in markets across the country and abroad, showcasing its organic and nutritious qualities, he said. This would also help in giving in the fruit’s production and sale, besides increasing its value-added products,” said Kumar.

Highlighting the speciality of the jackfruit cultivated in Kerala, he said that it is more organic and tasty as it is produced in a natural and more organic way without the use of chemicals pesticides and fertilisers.

“Every year around 32 crore jackfruit is produced in the state, of which 30 percent gets wasted. A total revenue of Rs 15,000 crore is expected through the sale of jackfruit and its allied products through branding of the fruit,” said the minister. 

Further, he said that the government plans to distribute saplings to the public so that they can plant it in their personal gardens which would increase the cultivation.