Jackfruit Farming Gains Momentum After PM Modis Discussion with Jackfruit King

Navi Mumbai, August 13: During a recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mithilesh Desai, a farmer and entrepreneur known as the ‘Jackfruit King’ from Ratnagiri, discussed the potential for promoting jackfruit farming, processing, and value-added products across the country.

The discussion took place at the wedding reception of Revati Sule, daughter of NCP (SP) leader and MP Supriya Sule. Desai shared that their conversation lasted approximately 12-13 minutes, during which he elaborated on various jackfruit varieties, their utility, and innovations made in this field over the years.

In an interview with a news agency, Desai mentioned that he had the opportunity to meet PM Modi at a family event on Wednesday. He described the conversation as very positive, with the Prime Minister showing considerable interest in jackfruit farming and related activities.

Desai presented various products made from jackfruit to the Prime Minister, explaining how jackfruit can be developed not just as a fruit but as a significant agricultural industry with value-added products. He noted that his father has been working in the jackfruit sector for nearly 30 years, while he himself has been actively involved for the past 12-13 years. During this time, his team has conducted numerous experiments and innovations in jackfruit farming, processing, and related products. He provided the Prime Minister with documents related to his work, which PM Modi reviewed with interest and asked several questions to understand the potential of the sector.

Desai highlighted that key products made from jackfruit include jackfruit flour and jackfruit seed flour. He explained that jackfruit flour can be used as a dietary option for diabetes, while flour made from jackfruit seeds can serve as a source of protein.

The entrepreneur mentioned that PM Modi showed special interest in these products and engaged in discussions about their production, usage, and potential markets. Desai noted that the Prime Minister appreciated their efforts to integrate agriculture and technology and encouraged them to continue their work.

Desai’s team has been working in this field for a long time, and they have now begun to organize their efforts into a structured platform. This includes the establishment of a private limited company aimed at attracting private investment and developing jackfruit-based businesses on a larger scale.

Desai’s goal is to establish jackfruit as an organized agricultural crop throughout India. He aims to make various jackfruit products and by-products available across different states. He emphasized that with government support and appropriate policy backing, a significant agricultural cluster for jackfruit could be developed in India. This would not only provide farmers with better prices for their produce but also create job opportunities in processing, packaging, transportation, and other sectors.

He expressed that with private investment and government collaboration, jackfruit farming and related industries could be advanced in an organized manner, thereby increasing farmers’ incomes and strengthening the agriculture-based economy.

Desai stated that this meeting at the Pawar family event provided him with a crucial opportunity to showcase his work on a national level. He felt encouraged by the conversation with the Prime Minister regarding his business and future plans. He expressed hope that if there is a national initiative to develop jackfruit as an organized agricultural crop, it could yield significant benefits for farmers, the food processing industry, and the rural economy. He concluded that by integrating agriculture, technology, and processing, jackfruit could transform into a major economic opportunity in India.