The second edition of South India’s prestigious travel and trade event, the Global Travel Market (GTM 2026), is currently underway in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Running from June 3 to June 5, 2026,
The seminar, titled “Medicinal Properties of Raw Jackfruit: Research Findings and Possibilities,” brought together policymakers, researchers, medical experts and agricultural stakeholders to discuss the latest scientific findings on raw jackfruit and explore strategies for transforming it into a sustainable health and economic resource.
Inaugurating the seminar, Kerala Agriculture Minister Adv. T. Siddique stressed the need to tap the immense potential of jackfruit, which is produced in abundance across the state. Despite Kerala producing an estimated 500,000 to 1.2 million tonnes of jackfruit annually, a substantial portion goes to waste every year, resulting in significant losses for farmers.
Former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan delivered the keynote address, while Dr. C. Suresh Kumar, General Secretary of CISSA, presented the introductory remarks.
CISSA Participation
The programme was presided over by Rufus Daniel, Chairperson of the Jackfruit Promotion Council (JPC). Felicitations were offered by Adv. Punchakkari G. Ravindran Nair and Dr. Raghuramadas.
The technical session, moderated by senior journalist S.D. Venukumar, featured presentations by Dr. B. Padmakumar, James Joseph, oncologist Dr. Thomas Varghese, and Jissy George of the ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra. The experts highlighted emerging research on the medicinal value of jackfruit and discussed opportunities for promoting jackfruit flour and other value-added products as part of a broader public health and agricultural development strategy.
The seminar also reflected on the journey of the Jackfruit Promotion Council, a movement that traces its origins to the National Jackfruit Festival held at Kanakakunnu, Thiruvananthapuram, in 2011. The event was jointly organised by the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), Shanthigram, and Uravu, Wayanad, marking Kerala’s first organised initiative to promote jackfruit as a nutritional and economic resource.
Participants expressed optimism that the Agriculture Minister’s remarks signalled a renewed commitment from the government towards strengthening jackfruit-based livelihoods, encouraging value addition, and supporting initiatives that could improve both public health and farmers’ incomes across the state.
