CULTIVATION CONSTRAINTS AND LIVING
STANDARD OF JACK FARMERS IN
JACKANARAI VILLAGE IN KOTAGIRI
BLOCK OF NILGIRI DISTRICT, TAMIL
NADU, INDIA 643242
B. Subhashini, N. Srivani, S. Vanitha, Akash. M
(Under the guidance of Dr. R. Rajasekaran)
Collected on May 18, 2022
ABSTRACT
Aim : To understand the different cultivation constraints of Jack
Farmers in Kotagiri Block of Nilgiri District.
Study Design : Post Interview Schedule Studies.
Place and Study of Duration : The study was carried out in the
Jackanarai Village of Kotagiri Block during the month of May
2022. All selected respondants were the farmers or owners of
the selected Jack fields. So they shared their experiences in their
methodologies of cultivation from past to present.
Methodology : Data were collected based on the pre tested and
structured questionnaire through a face to face interview
method. The sample size is selected from five farmers of
Jackanarai Village.
Results: The study shows that most of the farmers engaged in
Jack cultivation has their basic and practical knowledge to
improve the production yield of Jack Fruit.
Conclusion : The experience of the farmers from year to year
has improved their production skills and ability to counteract
adverse situations such as pest, diseases and wild animal attacks
that looms over their fields.
INTRODUCTION
Jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a multipurpose tree with
a great importance for its fruit, timber, fodder and fuel wood. It
is the national fruit as it is consumed by all classes of rural
people .It is rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, contains moderate
qualities of minerals and high qualities of protein, Calcium,
Thiamine, Riboflavin and Carotene.
Jackfruit is the principal fruit tree of Jackanarai village, was
identified as an important cash generating crop. It was found
that 50 percent of all households at this village under Nilgiri
district had jackfruit gardens adjoining their homesteads. The
jackfruit not only provide suitable ecology for the under storey
crop but also produce other basic requirements of the growers
such as fodder, food , fuel wood and timber.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Common production practices by the farmers in jackfruit
cultivation
TIME OF PLANTING
All the respondent farmers opined that they plant
jackfruit sapling during the rainy season i.e. in the month of July
to august with about 120 saplings per hectare.
APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER
Usually farmers do not apply fertilizers. Some farmers use
fertilizer and manure during the planting time. They used 10kg
cow dung, 250g urea, 250g TSP and 250g of MP during the
planting of jackfruit sapling. None of the farmers were found to
apply fertilizers after the establishment of sapling. Therefore
immense scope and prospects exist for increasing the
productivity of jackfruit through adopting appropriate fertilizer
management practices.
HARVESTING TIME OF THE PRODUCTS
Usually the farmers harvest the jackfruit from April to July
and in some cases up to September month.
SOURCES OF PLANTING MATERIALS
Own sources plus local markets are the prime source (60%)
for jack fruit sapling followed by own sources plus neighbour
plus local markets (32%). A very few farmers also purchase
saplings from the private nurseries.
SELLING OF THE PRODUCTS
Most of the farmers (40%) sell their product to the middle
men at their farm gate followed by local market. Only 28.33%
of the farmers, who were mostly under marginal and small
category, sell their product at local market.
PROBLEMS FACED BY THE FARMERS IN
PRACTICING JACKFRUIT
INSECTS
All farmers opined that ‘jackfruit trunk borer’ cause
severe damage to the jackfruit production. Jackfruit fruit borer
also cause damage to fruit Initially, borer (caterpillar) attacks the
trunk creating hole. After a few years of infestation, the tree
dies. In case of fruit borer, the reddish brown larvae bore into
the fruit and destroy them. Damage by borer is locally called
‘cancer’.
Control measures: some farmers use cow dung at the infested
site. The infested tree should be examined and beetles and grubs
whenever found are to be collected and destroyed
Paradichlorobenzene is introduced into the holes of borers and
holes may be sealed up with mud.
SQUIRREL AND BAT
These attack the jackfruit at the ripening stage. They make
wounds on the ripe fruit which reduces the market value of the
fruit.
DISEASES
About 43% of the farmers claimed that disease cause
damage to the jackfruit. Fruit drop is due to ‘Rhizopus rot’ was
identified as major disease in jackfruit. The rot starts near the
stalk end which gets covered with the mycelium in case of small
fruit.
Control measures: spray application of DithaneM-45 (Mancozeb
75% W.P) at 0.2% and Bavistin (carbendazim) at 0.05% three
times at 14 days interval starting in early march give the best
control.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it may be concluded that the
farmers use the planting Material from their own sources in most
cases. They do not use fertilizers to the orchard after
establishing the plants. There is a scope of different management
practices specially balanced dose of fertilizer that can boosted
up the production. During the cropping season, the daily
requirement of vitamin C was fully satisfied but in case of other
nutrients eg. Riboflavin, Iron, Calcium, Thiamine, protein etc.
requirement was partially fulfilled by jackfruit. Economic
analysis showed the profitability of the system. Some problems
like jackfruit trunk borer, attack of bat and squirrels on jackfruit
etc.. are being jeopardized the basis. Farmers and extension
workers should be trained on improved management practices
(fertilization, application of hormones etc..) to improve the
productivity of jackfruit cultivation .Steps should be taken to
replace the local cultivar of jackfruit with improved cultivar to
increase productivity and profitability of the system .A sound
marketing system should be developed .Besides necessary
processing plant should be established to prevent spoilage of
fruits at the time of peak harvest. Appropriate research studies
should be undertaken to develop control measures against the
jackfruit borer.
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