Jamun is becoming increasingly popular in the fruit markets

Lucknow: Jamun fruits are now readily available in the market as a result of the pre-monsoon rains. Farmers of Gujarat and Punjab were able to harvest the fruits and supply them to the Delhi market at a premium price even earlier.

The jamun in Uttar Pradesh is in no way inferior to that of other states, but other states benefit from their geographic location and climate advantages. Jamun is the most expensive indigenous fruit available on the market at the beginning of the season. People are not hesitant to pay 300 rupees for a kg. As a matter of fact, it is more expensive than premium mangoes during the last week of May.

Anti diabetic properties of Jamun:

Because of its anti-diabetic properties, jamun is becoming increasingly popular among the general public. Additionally, it contains a large number of bioactive compounds that are beneficial to human health, and it is high in vitamin C and helps to purify the blood. The incredible active compounds aid in the improvement of heart health, the improvement of digestion, and the strengthening of gums. Some jamun enthusiasts enjoy the pulp and grind the seeds to make a powder to consume as a supplement due to the numerous health benefits of jamun.

Popularity in fruit market:

The jamun will only be available in the market for a very short period of time. A large number of jungles produce an abundance of it, which tribes and other people who rely on forest products use to supplement their income and ensure their survival. Jamun vinegar is one of the best fruit vinegars available, and it has a wide range of medicinal properties. Several products, such as jamun bars, juices, and wine, are manufactured for commercial purposes. In fact, because production is not very high during the initial phase, it is not sufficient to meet the enormous demand. Processing companies, such as ITC, are gradually establishing themselves in order to manufacture value-added products. The inaccessibility of raw materials is the most significant bottleneck for processing ventures in general.

The orcharding of jamun has not been organized as of yet. The avenue trees, which are mostly found along the roadside, provide the majority of the fruit harvest. Jamun, when found in the wild, is not of high quality as a table fruit, but it possesses exceptional medicinal properties. Wild jamun fruits are smaller in size and have a higher astringency than jamun available in the fruit market.

The health-promoting properties of jamun, which grows abundantly in the forest, are enhanced by these characteristics. Jamun was the most widely planted species along the roadside in the last century, and a significant amount of produce was harvested from these extremely large trees. Since these trees have gradually disappeared as a result of road widening, there is a pressing need to establish orchards of this crop, which is regarded as a fruit of the future.

Health Benefits:

Jamun is highly perishable, and transporting it over long distances without the use of a freezer is difficult. There are numerous precautions that must be taken during the packaging process.

Jamuns, on the other hand, have been exported from Uttar Pradesh to the London market this year. A large number of exporters who were previously uninterested are now planning to export this one-of-a-kind fruit to European countries where people will be willing to pay a premium price for such a rare and exotic produce. Jamun is a rare fruit in most European markets; as a result, if the systematic export of this fruit is encouraged, producers and exporters will be able to make a satisfactory profit.

Jamun is currently available at a very reasonable price in the Lucknow market, owing to the abundance of the fruit on the trees at this time. Jamun is a popular table fruit, and it is also used to make juice, which is popular among jamun enthusiasts. Those who enjoy jamun because of its extraordinary health benefits will be able to purchase a variety of value-added products in the near future, as processors strive to make this nature's gift available all year round.

Shailendra Rajan, Ph.D.

Director

ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture