CMO promotes growth of the Jackfruit
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Contact: Chris Satney
Tuesday, 26 August 2008 – The island’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Josiah Rambally wants to see a resurgence of the Jackfruit on the island. Dr. Rambally thinks the fruit, over the years, has become unknown to many Saint Lucians.
In an effort to spearhead its recovery the CMO invited the media for a display of the gigantic fruit, which is from the same family as the breadfruit and breadnut. Known locally as Kataharr, the jackfruit is the largest fruit in the world, and according to Dr. Rambally, is bursting with vitamins and minerals.
“It has very high potassium content. It has very high iron and vitamins contents, among many other trace elements. This fruit is from Donald Jawahir Estate in Forestierre and there are many other areas where the fruit is grown, but people do not appreciate it and do not get it. As a matter of fact, I am hoping with this there will be a promotion and I will check with the Ministry of Agriculture to see if they can grow some seeds for us,” he said in an interview with the GIS.
The Jackfruit is said to originate from India. Dr. Rambally says the choice by families away from natural fruits to less nutritious foods is the reason for the island’s high rate of diseases such as diabetes.
“This is where we are getting health from. Many people think it is from the bottle or the can. There are many other fruits that have great nutritional value and that people do not know about. We are telling people to go back to eating naturally. When you talk about fruits that people are afraid of and think will make them sick; these are the things that fight against cancer and many other diseases,” he explained.
The fruit is also fortified in proteins, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin and has a high energy giving value. The seeds are also edible and is said to taste like chestnuts when roasted. |
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