Hans News Service Hassan

Amassive 72-kg jackfruit became the biggest attraction at the Jackfruit and Mango Fair held in Sakleshpur, with visitors thronging the venue to catch a glimpse of what could potentially be one of the world’s heaviest jackfruits. The unusually large fruit, displayed by farmer H B Pratap Kumar from Hebbanahalli village, drew widespread attention from horticulture experts, farmers and fruit lovers alike.

Pratap Kumar showcased three giant jackfruits harvested from a single tree at the exhibition organised at Srinivasa Convention Hall. The fruits were so heavy that two people were required to lift one onto the weighing scale, leaving visitors amazed by their extraordinary size and weight. According to horticulture officials, information available in public records indicates that the current recognised heavyweight jackfruit weighed 54.43 kg and was reported from Florida, USA, in 2024. If the weight of the Sakleshpur fruit is officially verified, it could surpass the existing record by a significant margin and become a contender for inclusion in the Guinness World Records.

Senior Assistant Director of the Department of Horticulture B E Bhanu Prakash said the department is verifying the details of the fruit. He noted that commercially cultivated jackfruits generally weigh between 20 and 25 kg, while fruits weighing 60 to 80 kg are extremely rare. He added that the department would examine the fruit’s characteristics before initiating the process for a possible world record claim. Speaking on the occasion, Pratap Kumar said the unique jackfruit variety was planted by his father, Basavalingappa, about 23 years ago after sourcing the sapling from the Halebeedu region. For nearly a decade, the tree has consistently produced exceptionally large fruits weighing between 60 and 80 kg, with around 15 fruits harvested from a single tree every season.

He revealed that the family had harvested an 80-kg jackfruit last year, while the fruits displayed at this year’s fair weighed 72 kg. The tree is cultivated entirely through natural farming methods without the use of chemical fertilisers. Locally known as ‘Makke Halasu’ in the Malnad region, the variety is known for its sweet, thick bulbs measuring nearly 12 centimetres in length.

Pratap Kumar said he has never commercially sold the fruits, preferring instead to share them with friends and visitors. His long-term goal is to conserve and popularise this rare jackfruit variety so that it can benefit more farmers in the region.

The giant fruit has become the highlight of the Sakleshpur fair, underscoring the rich horticultural diversity of Karnataka and the remarkable potential of naturally cultivated indigenous fruit varieties.