'Jackfruit King' Mithilesh Desai shares pan-India cultivation plans with PM Modi
Synopsis
A Ratnagiri farmer known as the 'Jackfruit King' got 12–13 minutes with PM Modi at a Mumbai wedding reception — and used every second of it to pitch a national jackfruit cluster. The viral moment has put a spotlight on jackfruit's overlooked potential as a diabetes-friendly flour, a protein source, and a rural employment driver.
Key Takeaways
Mithilesh Desai , dubbed the 'Jackfruit King' , met PM Narendra Modi at the wedding reception of Revati Sule in Mumbai .
The conversation lasted approximately 12–13 minutes , covering jackfruit varieties, processing innovations, and value-added products.
Desai showcased jackfruit flour (a diabetes-management dietary option) and jackfruit seed flour (a protein source) to the Prime Minister.
His family has been active in the jackfruit sector for nearly 30 years ; Desai himself for 12–13 years .
Desai is calling for a national jackfruit agricultural cluster backed by government policy to create rural jobs and better farmer incomes.
Mithilesh Desai, the Ratnagiri-based farmer-entrepreneur widely known as the 'Jackfruit King', found himself at the centre of national attention after a brief but substantive conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a wedding reception in Mumbai went viral. Desai said he used the 12–13 minute interaction to outline his vision for developing jackfruit into an organised, pan-India agricultural crop — and came away with what he described as genuine encouragement from the Prime Minister.
How the Meeting Happened
The encounter took place at the wedding reception of Revati Sule, daughter of NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule. Desai, who was among the guests, seized the opportunity to present his case for jackfruit cultivation directly to the Prime Minister. Footage of the exchange circulated widely online, drawing fresh attention to both the farmer and the crop he has championed for over a decade.
What Desai Presented to the PM
During the conversation, Desai apprised Prime Minister Modi of the various jackfruit varieties he cultivates, the innovations his team has undertaken in processing and product development, and the documented commercial success of his work. He also showcased a range of jackfruit-derived products, demonstrating how the fruit could anchor a broader agro-industrial value chain — not merely as a table fruit but as a raw material for processed goods.
Among the key products highlighted were jackfruit flour, which he said can serve as a dietary option for managing diabetes, and jackfruit seed flour, positioned as a plant-based protein source. Desai noted that his father has worked in the jackfruit sector for nearly 30 years, while he himself has been active in the field for 12–13 years.
PM Modi's Response
According to Desai, the Prime Minister showed keen interest in the sector's potential and appreciated his efforts to integrate agriculture with technology. Modi reportedly encouraged him to continue his work — a response Desai described as deeply motivating for his business and future plans.
The Larger Vision: A National Jackfruit Cluster
Desai's ambitions extend well beyond his own farm in Ratnagiri. He aims to make jackfruit-based products and by-products available across multiple states and envisions a national jackfruit agricultural cluster supported by government policy. Such a cluster, he argued, could deliver better prices for farmers while generating employment in processing, packaging, and transportation.
He expressed hope that the interaction with the Prime Minister could catalyse a national-level initiative, benefiting farmers, the food-processing industry, and the broader rural economy. With appropriate policy support, Desai believes jackfruit cultivation could be scaled from a regional speciality into a significant organised sector across India.
Point of View
It will require dedicated procurement frameworks, processing infrastructure funding, and state-level extension support — none of which a 12-minute conversation, however encouraging, can substitute for.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mithilesh Desai, the 'Jackfruit King'?
Mithilesh Desai is a farmer and entrepreneur from Ratnagiri , Maharashtra, known for cultivating multiple jackfruit varieties and developing value-added products from the fruit. His family has been active in the jackfruit sector for nearly 30 years, and Desai himself has worked in the field for 12–13 years.
Where did Mithilesh Desai meet PM Modi?
The meeting took place at the wedding reception of Revati Sule , daughter of NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule , in Mumbai. A video of the interaction went viral, drawing widespread attention to Desai and his jackfruit work.
What did Desai discuss with PM Modi?
Desai spent approximately 12–13 minutes briefing the Prime Minister on jackfruit varieties, cultivation innovations, and products such as jackfruit flour — useful for diabetes management — and jackfruit seed flour, a plant-based protein source. He also presented his vision for a national jackfruit agricultural cluster.
What are the health benefits of jackfruit products Desai highlighted?
According to Desai, jackfruit flour can serve as a dietary option for managing diabetes, while flour made from jackfruit seeds is a useful source of protein. He positioned these products as part of a broader push to develop jackfruit beyond a table fruit into an agro-industrial raw material.
What policy support is Desai seeking for jackfruit cultivation?
Desai is calling for government cooperation and appropriate policy support to establish a national jackfruit agricultural cluster. He argues this could secure better prices for farmers and create employment in processing, packaging, and transportation across multiple states.
