Ranchi, Aug. 13: The National Bank for Rural and Agriculture Development (Nabard) has decided to introduce and promote cultivation of noni (morinda citrifolia) — a highly nutritious fruit — in Jharkhand.

Rich in micro nutrients, noni is used as a food supplement and helps cure diseases such as asthma, chronic pain and kidney disorders. Its juice contains around 150 micro nutrients.

The rural bank has planned to form noni farmers’ club all over the state to promote commercial farming of the fruit. The bank is also mulling a move to engage scientists at Birsa Agriculture University (BAU), Kanke, and Horticulture and Agro-forestry Research Programme (HARP), Palandu, to develop demonstration plots for noni plantation. These plots would provide technical support to the farmers deciding to engage in commercial farming of noni.

“The bank wants to introduce and promote new trends in agriculture and allied practices in Jharkhand. We want to begin this task with noni plantation,” said K.C. Shashidhar, the chief general manager of Nabard in Jharkhand region.

He said the bank would also give grants-in-aid to interested farmers’ groups, apart from facilitating them with technological and scientific knowledge about the new plant, which can earn a quick and handsome return for farmers.

Since noni helps strengthen the immunity system, the fruit is much in demand in the health industry. The benefits of noni are also being researched by 49 universities in 10 different countries, including India, said Shashidhar.

At present, its cultivation in a scientific manner and in an industrial scale is being done only in Tamil Nadu. Chennai has some noni food processing units that produce a concentrate that is sold for a high price (Rs 156 for 100ml). An array of products is made from noni, including toothpaste and oil.

Nabard has also invited M.A. Palnichame, the chairperson of Noni Federation of Chennai, to address a state-level workshop in Jharkhand on its plantation.