Bengaluru : Siddu jackfruit which contains high nutrients is suitable for homesteads and commercial farming, said Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa.

The elite siddu jackfruit sapling was presented to Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa under collaborative plant development programme, here today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research of ICAR, NewDelhi has been conducting research on varieties of Jackfruits and identified the superior jackfruit variety in the farms of Mr.S.S.Paramesha in Chelur village of Tumkur District.

This fruit variety with coppery red coloured flakes contains nutrition and medicinal values. This Jackfruit is considered to be the best and unique variety when compared to other jackfruit varieties in the country.

S.S.Paramesh who is currently producing Siddu Jackfruit saplings has earned a gross income of Rs.22 lakhs within two years and he has proved that farmers can double their income as well as preserve biodiversity.

One lakh saplings were distributed to 31,000 farmers across Indian states along with Karnataka, in collaboration with ICAR-IIHR.

By cultivating this unique jackfruit variety, farmers can safeguard the biodiversity along with livelihood security.

The Chief Minister expressed his interest in growing Siddu jackfruit in his Shikaripura farms.

B.S.Basavaraju, M.P, Dr.B N S Murthy IIHR Director Hesaraghatta, Dr G Karunakaran IIHR CHES Head Hirehalli,Tumkur Paramesh S S, Farmer were present on the occasion.