Shahin Bepari Lambe
Panaji: The Government Agricultural Farm at Codar in Ponda has established a collection of 38 jackfruit varieties across 1.5 hectares, bringing together local and international varieties as a repository for the conservation of jackfruit diversity.
The collection includes Malaysian Dwarf, J-33, Vietnam Super Early, Thailand New, Thailand All Season, Honey Jack, Red Moon, Brazil, Doengsuria Jack, Vietnam Red, Cambodian Orange, Wada Singapore, Bhairachandra, Hemachandra, Nagchandra, Prakashchandra, Vatagar, Janagree, Chips Jack, Ananya Jack, G-11, Siddhu Jack, Sindhoor Jack, Lalbaug Madhura, Mankale Red, Sadanand Jack, Seedless Jack, Gumless Jack, Rudrakshi Red, Rudrakshi Yellow, Ramchandra Red, Golden Pulp, Shankara Copper Red, Prashanti Jack, Mangala Early Jack, Pancha Mukhi Jack, Pathamuttam Jack and Chandra Bakke.
“Although jackfruit has been a part of Indian kitchens and rural life for centuries, many traditional varieties are gradually disappearing with farmers shifting towards a limited number of commercially preferred types,” assistant director of Agriculture Nagesh Komarpant told The Navhind Times. He said the new plantation at the Codar Farm is aimed to protect this diversity by maintaining a wide range of planting material in a single location for future use.
“Jackfruit is recognised for its immense market potential and the diversity of its varieties. The focus extends beyond raw fruit to processing, including the production of chips and powders used in traditional dishes like kheer. Jackfruit seeds are also important
for their nutritional value, often compared to almonds when roasted or boiled,” said Komarpant.
Farm superintendent Prajyot N Sakhalkar said the plantation represented jackfruit varieties with distinct characteristics, including early-bearing, seedless, gumless and coloured-flesh types collected from different regions.
“Maintaining such diversity is important not only for conservation but also for future breeding programmes and sustainable cultivation, as different varieties possessed unique qualities that could help meet changing agricultural needs,” said Sakhalkar, adding, “Every variety has its own special characteristics, whether it is taste, colour, texture or growth habit.”
“By bringing together diverse varieties from India and abroad, we are creating a valuable genetic resource that can support future research, help farmers access quality planting material and ensure that these unique varieties are not lost with time,” he said.
Sakhalkar added that beyond conservation, it also gave an opportunity to observe the variation that exists within jackfruit, from compact trees suited for smaller spaces to varieties valued for their colourful flesh or unique fruit quality.
