Sapodilla Becomes Part of Agricultural Growth Strategy in India’s Gujarat State

The authorities of the Indian state of Gujarat are considering the tropical fruit sapodilla not only as a key agricultural product, but also as a foundation for a value-added industry. The fruit cultivation sector has become part of the state’s horticulture development strategy, reports IANS, a partner of TV BRICS.

Sapodilla is an evergreen tree reaching up to 30 metres in height. Ripe sapodilla fruits are pale brown in colour with a thin skin, edible fresh, and characterised by a rich sweet taste. They are also used in the production of medicines, as is a decoction of the leaves. The milky sap of the tree – latex – is used to produce a base for chewing gum.

According to official statistics, in 2024–2025 Gujarat produced around 240,000 metric tonnes of this fruit, ranking second in India by output. At the same time, the state holds first place in terms of cultivated area: more than 25,000 hectares are allocated to sapodilla farming.

Half of the harvested crop was produced in the South Gujarat region. It accounted for 115,000 metric tonnes of output. This means that every second fruit was grown in this region.

Taking these figures into account, the state authorities are promoting horticulture within a comprehensive development programme. Under this initiative, farmers cultivating this tropical fruit are eligible for a 90 per cent subsidy on the purchase of saplings, as well as financial assistance proportional to the size of their cultivated land. These measures are aimed at increasing productivity, reducing farmers’ costs, and boosting their incomes.

At present, experts and market participants are exploring the potential of sapodilla cultivation as a basis for developing new value-added product industries. The fruit is considered suitable for processing, packaging, branding, and export.

Investment in agro-industrial solutions is required: there are opportunities to expand cold chain infrastructure, food processing facilities, storage capacities, ripening centres, and agrologistics networks. The latter helps establish a “farm-to-market” system.

Against the backdrop of growing demand for fresh and processed fruits in both domestic and international markets, analysts suggest that sapodilla cultivation could become a competitive advantage for Gujarat and open up new opportunities for economic development.