Jackfruit can become Bengal’s next rural industry: Dilip Ghosh

Jackfruit could soon move beyond Bengal’s village markets and emerge as a global product with the right technology, processing facilities and marketing support, Panchayat minister Dilip Ghosh said during his visit to the state-level Jackfruit Fair and Exhibition 2026 at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), underlining the government’s focus on transforming agricultural produce into new sources of rural income.

Addressing the exhibition, the minister said Bengal has enormous potential in jackfruit cultivation and stressed that scientific research, modern farming techniques and better market connectivity would be crucial to take the sector forward.

Advertisement

“Jackfruit is no longer limited to being a traditional fruit. Raw jackfruit is now being converted into products like vegan meat, mock meat, jackfruit kebabs and chips. The next challenge is to ensure that these products are manufactured on a larger scale, marketed effectively and reach international markets,” he said.

Mr Ghosh also said efforts would be made to strengthen Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya and help it regain its position as a premier agricultural research institution.

“Research should not remain confined to laboratories. Its benefits must reach farmers and create new opportunities in villages,” he said.

During his Kalyani visit, Mr Ghosh also visited the Rural Connectivity Training and Research Center (RCTRC), where discussions focused on improving the quality and sustainability of rural roads.

Officials also emphasised the use of the Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) technique for road construction, a technology that strengthens roads by recycling existing materials. It was decided that samples from different divisions would be sent to RCTRC for scientific testing to ensure quality standards.