Odisha Promotes Jackfruit Industry with New Partnerships and Training Initiative

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to boost the jackfruit industry in Odisha, the Directorate of Horticulture under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE) hosted a two-day training-cum-workshop at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Horticulture, Deras. Held on November 30 and December 1, 2024, the event focused on advancing the production of value-added jackfruit products, attracting participation from key stakeholders across the state.

Representatives from Technology Incubation Centers (TICs) in Koraput, Kandhamal, and Keonjhar joined officials from ORMAS, ICAR-IIHR (CHES), and the Technical Support Unit – Palladium. The workshop also featured industry specialists and master trainers from Kerala, who provided hands-on training in the preparation of various jackfruit-based products, showcasing their potential for economic and nutritional value.

MoUs Signed to Strengthen Industry

A highlight of the workshop was the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Directorate of Horticulture and two companies—Artocarpus Foods Pvt. Ltd. and Nutritivo Food Products LLP. These partnerships aim to enhance training programs and open trade opportunities for TICs, providing a robust framework for scaling up jackfruit processing and marketing in Odisha.

Speaking at the event, officials emphasized the importance of leveraging Odisha’s abundant jackfruit resources to create economic opportunities for local farmers and entrepreneurs. The collaboration with industry leaders is expected to improve processing techniques and establish new market linkages for jackfruit-derived products such as chips, flour, and health snacks.

Empowering Rural Communities

The Odisha Jackfruit Mission is a flagship initiative under DA&FE, focused on promoting the state’s jackfruit industry by integrating modern processing techniques with traditional practices. By involving TICs and training farmers and entrepreneurs, the mission seeks to empower rural communities and create sustainable livelihoods.

The workshop concluded with a call for continued collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the success of Odisha’s growing jackfruit sector. With the support of new industry partnerships, Odisha is poised to position itself as a leader in the production and trade of high-quality jackfruit products.