Thiruvananthapuram: After the state animal, bird, flower and fish, Kerala is all set to get its "official fruit" now.

And it is none other than the jackfruit, the largest tree-borne fruit known for its distinctive taste and aroma.

The state government will make an official declaration in this regard on March 21, based on a proposal of the Agriculture Department.

The government also plans to promote the 'Kerala Jackfruit' as a brand in markets across the country and abroad, highlighting its organic and nutritious qualities.

State Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar said the core objective of the government was to give a fillip to the production and sale of jackfruit and its value-added products.

A total revenue of Rs 15,000 crore is expected through sale of jackfruit and its allied products through the branding of the fruit, he said.

"We are planning to declare the jackfruit as the state fruit on March 21. I will make an announcement in this regard at the state Assembly also," Sunil Kumar told a news agency.

"Though jackfruit is one of the most widely produced fruits in the state, we are yet to tap its potential completely. Crores of jackfruits, that also of different varieties, are produced in Kerala every year," he said.

Detailing the qualities the 'Kerala jackfruit', he said it is more organic and tasty as it is produced in a very natural way without using any chemical fertilisers or pesticides.

"Our people do not use any fertiliser for production of jackfruits. They are grown in a very natural way in villages without any special care. So our jackfruits are more organic, natural and tasty than those from other states," he said.

With the awarding of the 'state fruit' status, the demand for jackfruits and allied products are expected to go up and more people would foray into the cultivation of jackfruit trees, known as 'plavu' in local parlance, the minister said.

The government plans to distribute maximum jackfruit tree saplings among the public to grow it in their backyards as part of plans to expand the cultivation.

A research centre has already been opened at Ambalavayal, under the aegis of the Agriculture Department, to carry out studies on jackfruit and tap its potential further.

The government also conducts 'jackfruit fest' every year to popularise the fruit and its products among public, he added.

"Besides the taste and nutritious quality, the timber value of jackfruit tree is also high. Compared to many other trees, it plays a great role in fighting greenhouse gases," the minister added.

Elephant is the state animal of Kerala, while 'great hornbill' the bird and 'kanikkonna' the official flower.

The state had recently declared pearl spot, popularly known as 'karimeen', as its official fish.