Mangalore: The native fruits such as jackfruits, jamuns, gooseberries are neglected owing to the publicity of commercial fruits. The need of the hour is to grow the plants of traditional fruits in backyard of households, schools and empty spaces in government offices, said Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat CEO Dr K N Vijayaprakash.
Dr Vijayaprakash was speaking after inaugurating fourth annual Jackfruit fest that was organized jointly auspices of veterinary and fisheries department, zilla panchayat, plantation department, women and child welfare department, DK zilla panchayat and district Krushik Samaj, at Fisheries College, Yekkur, here on Friday June 28.
Dr Vijayaprakash urged the teachers to take the students on a study tour to villages in order to get farming knowledge and take interest in it.
“Jackfruit is being grown in DK district on 838 hectares. A total of Rs 699 lac has been reserved for plantation development in DK district. Out of which Rs 296 lac for plantation department, Rs 303 for national plantation mission and Rs 100 lac for organic farming,” said Dr Vijayaprakash.
The plantation department deputy director Yogish H R, joint agriculture director P Mohan, Fisheries University dean Dr K M Shankar, women and child welfare department deputy director Shakunthala, Dr Varanashi Krishnamurti and others were present at the occasion. of households, schools and empty spaces in government offices, said Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat CEO Dr K N Vijayaprakash.
Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project – self-help-groups displayed jackfruit products, papadams, jackfruit in brine, jam and variety of snacks.