Mangalore: Jackfruit Mela at Ekkur attracts large crowds

Mangalore: Jackfruit Mela at Ekkur attracts large crowds

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Jun 28, 2013: A two-day Jackfruit Mela at Agricultural Scientific Department, Ekkur attracted a large number of people on June 28, Friday.

The 4th Jackfruit Mela was organized by the Krishi Vijnana Kendra in association with Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fishery Science University, Bidar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking after inaugurating the Mela Zilla panchayat CEO N Vijaya Prakash said that the Zilla Panchayat has initiated schemes to sow the saplings around schools, hospitals, colleges, and government office premises. He also said that Markanja in Sullia has implemented the ‘Saalu Mara Scheme’ for sowing saplings of beautiful trees. The government has allotted Rs 296 lakhs for the year 2012-2013 under  the scheme, he informed.

The government will plant the jackfruit plants in 838 hectare in district and 5421 hectares in state. The jackfruit contains rich lactine which is essential for human beings, hence awareness must be created among the people on the use of jackfruit, he said.

S D Sampath, President, Dakshina Kannada farmers community inaugurated the exhibition stalls. Dr K M Shankar, Dean University of Fisheries delivered the presidential address.

Dr D Chandrashekar Chowda, P Mohan, Dr Varanashi Krishna Murthy,Yogish,Shakuntala were the chief guests.

Growers from various parts of the state took part in the festival and exhibited different varieties of jackfruits grown by them.

The exhibition displayed   jackfruit saplings of various breeds like Dose Bakke, Bada Pasand, Utthama Bakke, Lakshmi Bakke, Sarvada and other hybrid saplings too.

Several food items prepared out of jackfruit including jackfruit juice, jam, squash, ‘Saat’, papad, pickle, fry and  namkeen were on display and sale.