Project report for Jackfruit Processing

Jackfruit is commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisines. Both ripe and unripe fruits are consumed. The jackfruit is the national fruit of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and the state fruit of the Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is available internationally canned or frozen and in chilled meals as are various products derived from the fruit such as noodles and chips. The seeds are rich in Carbohydrates and a good source of Vitamins. Ripe fruits are used for nectar and jams. Unripe fruits are also used for culinary preparations like chips, pickles, etc.

The jackfruit  also known as jack tree, is a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family. Its origin is in the region between the Western Ghats of southern India, all of Sri Lanka and the rainforests of Malaysia. The jack tree is well-suited to tropical lowlands, is widely cultivated throughout tropical regions of the world. It bears the largest fruit of all trees, a mature jack tree produces some 200 fruits per year, with older trees bearing up to 500 fruits in a year. The jackfruit is a multiple fruit composed of hundreds to thousands of individual flowers, and the fleshy petals of the unripe fruit are eaten. The ripe fruit is sweet (depending on variety) and is more often used for desserts. Canned green jackfruit has a mild taste and meat-like texture that lends itself to being called a "vegetable meat".

Jackfruit is used, due to its sweet taste, to make a wide variety of dishes for human consumption. Jackfruit provides various health benefits due to its rich nutritional content. It strengthens the immune system, protects against cancer, aids in healthy digestion, boosts energy, helps in maintaining healthy skin and eyes, lowers blood pressure, controls asthma, strengthens bones and prevents anemia. Owing to its wide range of applications in food dishes, the jackfruit is also the favored fruit for making sweets. It is also processed into noodles, flour, pappad, ice-cream, squash and various other products, globally. Jackfruit is also consumed as a vegan meat alternative because of its texture mimics. The Jackfruit market is expected to grow during the forecast period due to high nutritional content and the wide range of tastes it offers in various dishes worldwide.  There is a prospective market for these products in Kerala as well as outside the State. It is also learnt that there is a good export market potential for these items especially in Middle East countries. In view of the above, it is envisaged that there is a good scope for setting up jackfruit processing units in jack growing areas. This will not only help the farmers to utilize the perishable raw material but also generate more employment opportunities in rural areas. About 20 - 25 units are engaged in unorganized sector manufacturing jack chips and jackfruit preserves.