Jackfruit Processing Laboratory at ICAR Palandu

Two state-of-the-art laboratories—Jackfruit Processing Laboratory and Honey Testing Laboratory—were inaugurated at the ICAR Palandu Research Center. Supported by both the Jharkhand State Government and the Government of India, these initiatives aim to empower farmers with better post-harvest infrastructure and scientific support.

💡 Why This Matters

The opening of the Jackfruit Processing Laboratory and Honey Testing Facility is a transformative step for the agricultural ecosystem in Jharkhand. It marks an essential move toward value addition, quality control, and increased farmer incomes. Through these modern labs, farmers will be empowered with the tools to enhance the market value of their products and access national and international markets.

🔍 Detailed Summary

In a major event at the ICAR Palandu Research Center, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICAR-EISAT, inaugurated two key facilities aimed at agricultural innovation and post-harvest management.

1. Jackfruit Processing Laboratory – Funded by the Jharkhand State Government, this lab is tailored to assist farmers in processing jackfruit and improving its market viability. Jackfruit, a highly nutritious and underutilised crop, has immense potential for value-added products like chips, pulp, and packaged meals.

2. Honey Testing Laboratory – This facility has been established with support from the National Bee Board, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. It is designed to help apiculturists assess honey quality and ensure it meets national food safety and export standards.

These facilities aim to tackle the challenges faced in post-harvest handling, reduce wastage, and open avenues for branding local produce. According to Dr. Perananath, Senior Scientist, these labs will offer scientific testing, processing guidance, and help improve product quality—key for better pricing and larger market access.

Dr. Anup Das was also welcomed to the ICAR Palandu campus during the ceremony, reinforcing collaborative efforts in agri-research.

✅ Points to Remember

• 🧪 Two new laboratories were inaugurated at ICAR Palandu on May 13, 2025.

• 🌴 Jackfruit Processing Laboratory funded by Jharkhand Government.

• 🍯 Honey Testing Laboratory supported by the National Bee Board, Government of India.

• 👨‍🌾 Goal: Improve post-harvest management and increase farmer income.

• 🧬 Dr. Perananath highlighted the labs’ importance in quality control and value addition.

• 🙏 Dr. Anup Das was welcomed to the ICAR Palandu research campus during the event.