The sumptuous taste of original, organic Custard Apples aka Sita Phal will be available all year long in shakes and ice creams. For the first time, 15 ton pulp has been extracted out of 85 ton custard apples which are distributed to various food processing companies across the state.

Under the project supervision of Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, the self-help organizations bought the pulp from the trading companies, which have been sent to markets of Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The pulp is made available at Rs. 200/kg which will be used in ice cream, shakes, basundi and other delicacies. The pulp will be kept in -40 degree temperature.

Srijan Santhan’s Project Executive Lakshman Jethani said that the ready pulp is kept natural here whereas in states like Maharashtra and AP, the pulp is mixed with saccharine and sugar.

Dr. R.A Kaushik, Head of Horticulture Dept (RCA College, MPUAT) informed about the project saying that a research started 5 years back with the help of World Bank, approved by ICR. With the help of Srijan Sansthan, the pulp extraction plants were established at Pindwara. Tribal farmers and women of 11 nearby villages collaboratively worked on this project.

Source: Dainik Bhaskar