Ampati: With the announcement of Jackfruit Mission by the state recently, a one-day seminar-cum-exhibition on jackfruit was organised for the farmers of South West Garo Hills at Ampati on Friday.
Additional Deputy Commissioner & Project Director, DRDA, D.D. Shira who was the chief guest, expressed his happiness to be part of the seminar which aims to uplift the socio-economic status of the farmers by creating additional livelihood opportunities through promotion of the “lowly” jackfruit, tonnes of which are being wasted annually in Garo Hills. He also expressed hope that the seminar would help farmers to arm themselves with basic knowledge about the fruit and prepare them for opportunities once the Mission is launched in the state.
He also gave away cash prizes and certificates to the winners of jackfruit exhibition.
District Agriculture Officer, M.N. Sangma, District Horticulture Officer, N.Ch. Sangma and PD, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Ampati, L. N. Sangma highlighted the features, qualities and uses of jackfruit tree and its fruits, terming it as “alternative food for the poor” as the fruit is found abundantly during the season. With the launch of Jackfruit Mission, the fruit is expected to emerge as one of the major cash crops in the state.
The speakers in the seminar also briefed the farmers on what would be required to be done on their part and what they can expect from the Jackfruit Mission which would promote entrepreneurial activities among the farmers.
It may be recalled that the horticulture team of South West Garo Hills bagged the award for the best stall in the state level Jackfruit Festival held in Shillong recently.
The district team also bagged the award for the biggest and heaviest jackfruit during the occasion.
The programme, which aims to create awareness to the farmers on the importance of jackfruit and its nutritional benefits, was organised by the Horticulture department in collaboration with ATMA under Mission for Development of Horticulture and was attended by hundreds of jackfruit farmers from across the district.
