Indian Breeders Lift Custard Apple Pulp Yield to 70%, Opening Exports From Drought Zones
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 25
Indian Breeders Lift Custard Apple Pulp Yield to 70%, Opening Exports From Drought Zones
2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 25
Arka Sahan and NMK-01 are helping turn custard apple into a viable export crop by extending shelf life, cutting seed count and sharply raising usable pulp.
IIHR says hybrids now deliver about 70% pulp recovery versus 30% in wild varieties, effectively doubling farmers' usable harvest without adding land.
In drought-hit Kolar, farmer Ashoka Shivareddy raised output from 20 tonnes last year to about 25 tonnes by planting densely and choosing varieties suited to low rainfall.
Exporters now ship the fruit to the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Europe, but rely on pre-cooling, refrigerated transport and air freight because temperatures of 30-40C can quickly spoil it.
Processed pulp and powder are emerging as the next growth channel, though freezing at -18C to -20C and investment in extraction equipment remain key hurdles.
India's new super-fruit is conquering drought. Can it now conquer the global export market?
With a 'miracle' fruit for a drier world, can India overcome policies that favor thirsty crops?