New Special Covers on Jackfruit products

New Special Covers on Jackfruit products

India Post, Department of Posts, Ministry of communications, Govt. of India released special cover on Jackfruit products on today under the One District One Product (ODOP) Scheme. The special cover was released at the Pathanamthitta Head Post Office on 15th November -2022.

The ODOP scheme is being implemented across the country as part of the PM formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme launched by Ministry of Food Processing Industries under the banner of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’.

Jack fruit is the ODOP crop of the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The release recognizes the pioneering efforts made by ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, CARD, Pathanamthitta for the transformation of Jackfruit from the most “wasted fruit” to the ‘State fruit’ of Kerala.

Rt. Rev Thomas Mar Timotheos Episcopa, Chairman, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pathanamthitta, in his inaugural address, accentuated the efforts being made by the KVK for redefining Jack fruit. He also said that the Processing technologies developed by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pathanamthitta is providing livelihood options for lots of people and entrepreneurs. He emphasized that the release of special cover on Jackfruit products by India Posts will greatly help in spread of the technologies among the rural population.

Value addition of jackfruit has greatly enhanced the demand for Jackfruit and the income realized by growers, said Shri. K. K. Devis, Director of Postal Services. Dr. Jacob John, Director of Extension, Kerala Agricultural university said the ODOP scheme is helping farmers to realize better profits through processing and value addition of their agricultural produce

The KVK has developed more than 25 commercial jack fruit processing technologies and supported establishment of 17 jackfruit processing entrepreneurs who sell their products in the domestic and international markets. The KVK is providing hand holding to new entrepreneurs in development and production of jackfruit processed products. The ceremony was attended by staff of postal department, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pathanamthitta and general public.