Kerala is set to reposition jackfruit — long celebrated as the poor man's staple — as a mainstream health and wellness food, with the state government announcing plans to develop a structured programme highlighting its medicinal properties. The initiative was unveiled on 23 June in Thiruvananthapuram, where state Agriculture Minister T. Siddique inaugurated a seminar titled 'Medicinal properties of raw jackfruit, research findings and possibilities', organised by the Jackfruit Promotion Council.

What the Government Has Planned

Minister Siddique announced that the government would prepare a comprehensive plan in consultation with the Health Department to popularise the health benefits of jackfruit, which holds the distinction of being Kerala's state fruit. The Agriculture Department is also expected to be brought into the initiative to explore pathways for ensuring jackfruit's benefits reach patients and the wider public.

'For generations, jackfruit was a common food in Kerala homes. But the nutritional and medicinal benefits of the fruit have not reached society adequately. Awareness needs to be created,' Siddique said at the event.

The Scale of Kerala's Jackfruit Sector

Kerala produces approximately 14.3 lakh tonnes of jackfruit annually, making it one of the largest producers in the country. Despite this scale, only a small fraction of that output reaches commercial utilisation — a gap the government's new push aims to address. From boiled jackfruit and traditional curries to chips, jams, and desserts, the fruit has long anchored Kerala's food culture, particularly as an affordable and readily available source of nutrition during lean seasons.

Research Findings Presented at the Seminar

The seminar brought together medical researchers who presented evidence on jackfruit's health potential. Dr B. Padmakumar, former Principal of Alappuzha Medical College, spoke about a study conducted among 100 people on jackfruit consumption patterns and outcomes. Dr Thomas Varghese, Oncology Director at St Joseph's Hospital, Manjummel, elaborated on research involving cancer patients, underscoring the fruit's emerging relevance in clinical contexts.

The Jackfruit Promotion Council also submitted a master plan to the minister, detailing research findings and outlining future possibilities for the sector.

Beyond the Seminar: Schools, Canteens, and Public Outreach

The event extended beyond formal discussions. The Kerala Legislative Assembly canteen served an array of jackfruit-based dishes, with legislators and visitors sampling the fruit in contemporary preparations — a symbolic gesture underscoring the government's intent to normalise jackfruit in everyday settings.

Participants at the seminar also called for taking the message of jackfruit as a healthy food option to schools and colleges, with the aim of building wider awareness among younger generations. With a government-backed plan now in motion and medical research lending credibility to its health claims, jackfruit's transition from a rural subsistence food to a recognised wellness ingredient appears closer than ever.