Mangaluru: Kokum Fest hopes to streamline post-harvesting process

MANGALURU: Kadamba Marketing Souharda Sahakari Limited, with several other likeminded organisations and government departments, will organise Kokum Fest 2019 in the Kadamba Marketing premises in Sirsi on May 4. This is an attempt to spread awareness on standardisation of post-harvesting methods and value addition.
Vishweshwara Bhat, CEO, Kadamba Marketing Souharda Sahakari Limited, said due to lack of standardisation, by-products of Kokum has not entered the malls. Several value added products have been introduced, but they have been restricted to local markets only. Years ago, kokum candy was also introduced. Unlike Maharashtra, Karnataka is still lagging behind in popularising the wonder fruit, and hence we have invited experts from Western Ghats Kokum Foundation, Goa including its president Ajit Shirodkar to discuss the future of the fruit.
Other than Kadamba marketing, Western Ghats Kokum Foundation- Goa, Department of Horticulture, Agriculture, NABARD, KVK Sirsi, College of Horticulture and College of Forestry are organising this festival. Several progressive growers like Siddarth Kurude from Goa and Sagar Gokhale and Ameya Kulkarni co-founders, Ojman Foods, Pune will participate in the event.
“There is a huge demand for Kokum and is grown in nearly 25 acres of Sirsi and Honnavar. It is estimated that a revenue of about Rs 12 lakh is generated through by-products at Kadamba. There are several by-products like butter, jams and squash already in the market. However, a scientific study to prove its health benefit is essential. The fest will also an attempt to identify about 25-30 farmers of Sirsi and Honnavar and help them grow kokum. Generally, Kokum is grown in the wild,” he said.
Shree Padre Editor, 'Adike Patrike', Kannada agricultural magazine said there is no doubt that kokum is a wonder fruit and there is much to explore as people have not yet taken kokum seriously. The value added products are known only in its traditional belt, especially Konkan. Two major hurdles in Kokum development is poor post harvesting process and lack of awareness outside the traditional area.