International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Sidram BY, Mallikarjun Ningdalli, Raghavendra Chourad, Devendra Beeraladinni and KN Doddamani

abstract
A study was conducted in Kalyan Karnataka region of Karanataka state during the year 2023-24 to identify and document the underutilized fruit crops of the study area. The exploratory research design was employed in conduct of the study. Primary data were collected by using the questionnaire prepared for the study, a snow ball method of data collection were used to collect data due to difficulty in identifying the farmers those involved in collecting and marketing of these fruits. The suitable statistical tools like frequency and percentage are used for the analysis and tabulation of the data. In this study ten underutilized fruits were identified, their common name, scientific name, family, health benefits and their images were documented. The identified fruits are wood apple, Jamun, Ber (local variety), star gooseberry, custard apple (local variety), Jungle jeelebi, Indian almond, mulberry fruit, karonda and ice apple fruits. With respect to the profile characteristics of the respondents, majority (58.57%) belonged to middle age group, illiterate (61.43%), nuclear family type (57.14%), landless (61.43%), medium farming experience (64.29%) and had low annual family income (95.71%). With respect to marketing behavior of the farmers, majority of farmers marketed wood apple (74.29%), Indian almond (78.57%) and jungle jeelebi (84.29%) directly to the consumer while, jamun (58.57%), ber (75.71%), star gooseberry (67.14%), custard apple (52.86%), mulberry fruits (60.00%) karonda (71.43%) and ice apple (85.71%) were sold to middle men. Vast potential of underutilized fruits contributing significantly to the livelihood of the rural population, enhancing food and nutritional security and fostering sustainable agricultural development, hence government has to initiate the promotional activities for these underutilized fruit crops and provide the platform to sell their fruits at suitable price.