Mysore Raspberry finding flavour in Hawaii: expert

India has a huge potential to cultivate fruits and Mysore Raspberry has great demand in Hawaii, America, said executive director of Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers and internationally acclaimed fruit lover Ken Love. He stressed on establishing Indian Tropical Fruit Growers.

Love was interacting with farmers in a programme, organised by Honneru Balaga at Beluvala Foundation at Beluvala village near Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS), in Srirangatpatna taluk, on Friday.

Love said, Mysore Raspberry, which is grown largely in Mysuru and Kodagu forest regions, are in great demand in Hawaii. “This is the favourite fruit among chefs. If we keep 50 different varieties of fruits, most chefs prefer Raspberry. Jam, jelly, sauce can be made of Raspberry, which can be marketed among the high-end resorts, hotels, restaurants,” he said.

Similarly, jack fruit is widely popular across the world and India has much room for production and export of the fruit. It is legal to grow Mysore Raspberry in Hawaii. I am surprised that the regional farmers are not aware of Raspberry here, he said.

He said, Pouteria caimito, the abiu, a type of fruit is also in great demand. The cultivation is cost effective and has huge potential. Farmers can get a yield within three years from seedling. He suggested that farmers must try cultivating Abiu.

Stressing on the need for a Fruit Association in India, he said, the association will help in exchanging crop, product, marketing and technology among domestic as well as foreign farmers. The associations help in raising funds from foreign countries. The body would help in protecting traditional fruit varieties.

Education to consumers as well as farmers on varieties of fruits is the need of the hour. Though there are hundreds of varieties of fruits, people are not aware of them. There are 1,600 varieties of avocados (butter fruit) and 390 variety of figs, he said. According to him, poor pricing is causing major damage to the agriculture sector worldwide. Farmers must know the cost of production to be successful. Farmers must create their own market through associations and should not be dependent on government policies or market, he suggested. Love said, means of preserving the fruits for a long period post harvest, plays a major role. Fruits can be preserved for a long time without using any preservatives. Maintaining the right temperature and timing can increase the shelf life of fruits, he said.

Former deputy director of Horticulture K Ramakrishnappa, founder of Beluvala Foundation, said, India has a diverse range of fruits, vegetables but, preservation and conservation is lacking. There is a need for research and the universities must take the initiative to protect traditional varieties of fruits and vegetables, he said.

More than 100 people, including members of the Foundation, farmers from different parts of the state, attended the programme.