The success story of Eden Jackfruit Products | Fusion - WeRIndia

Eden Jackfruit Products, founded by Rani Sunny from Idukki, Kerala, is a shining example of how local resources, when combined with innovation and entrepreneurship, can lead to sustainable and profitable ventures.

Built on the foundation of a single fruit, jackfruit, Rani’s startup has grown into a ₹12 lakh annual turnover business, transforming both her life and the local economy.

The business idea was born after Rani attended a training programme in 2018 by Kudumbashree’s Amrutham Nutrimix, which focused on creating value-added products from jackfruit.

Realising that jackfruits were largely going to waste in her region, Rani identified a gap in the market and moved quickly.

She began with a small batch of 25 kg of jackfruits and was amazed when they sold out instantly.

Encouraged by the demand, she invested ₹25 lakh to set up Eden Jackfruit Products with the support of her family.

Today, Eden Jackfruit Products offers a diverse range of jackfruit-based items, including:

• Dried jackfruit slices
• Jackfruit powder and pulp
• Frozen tender jackfruit
• Jackfruit seed and seed powder
• Value-added ready-to-cook items like burger patties and cutlets

These products cater to both health-conscious consumers and those looking for traditional yet innovative alternatives in their diet.

Rani sources jackfruits from around 20 neighbouring farmers, paying fair prices and boosting local income.

Her enterprise currently employs 10 workers, including 8 women, contributing to women’s empowerment in the region.

The startup also taps into the growing demand for plant-based and healthy food options.

With increasing interest in traditional superfoods, jackfruit has emerged as a versatile ingredient with global appeal.

Like any startup, Eden Jackfruit Products had its share of hurdles:

• Market Entry: Initially, it was tough to convince consumers to try jackfruit-based products. Awareness was low.
• Brand Visibility: Without a strong digital presence, Rani found it difficult to scale initially.
• Infrastructure Investment: Starting with ₹25 lakh was a significant risk, considering it was a new segment.
• Export Complexity: Though demand for exports is rising, managing the export process independently remains a challenge.

Rani is now working on building a website and strengthening the brand on social media to increase visibility.

She plans to introduce new jackfruit products and eventually handle exports directly, bypassing intermediaries.

With a profit of ₹8 lakh annually and growing brand recognition, Eden Jackfruit Products is a testimony to how micro-level agribusinesses can create macro-level impact.

Despite limited formal education, Rani has built a scalable, sustainable, and socially impactful venture, rooted in tradition but driven by innovation.

Image Credit: Edenjackfruitproducts Website Screenshot

Image Reference: https://edenjackfruitproducts.com/