Papaya- One of the best Indian fruit in nutrient content

Which is the best Indian fruit  in nutrient content?

The nutrient density is the ratio of nutrient content to the total energy content. The following nutrient Density index is made  from  100 gms of the fruit.

Nutrient Density index ranking

1. Kiwi fruit




Papaya tree- So beautiful  and nutritious

2. Papaya
3. Strawberries
4. Mango
5. Lemon
6. Orange
7. Grapefruit
8. Pineapple
9. Grape
10. Plum
11. Banana
12. Watermelon
13. Peach
14. Cherry
15. Apple

 One of the recent report says Guava is the best fruit.  In the above chart guava is not shown. Any way papaya ranks one of the top three.

It is really amazing why we don't realize the importance of this exotic fruit. The following table shows the price of papaya in different countries. The price in India is less because of very less demand. People are unaware of its value.

Papaya is so cheap in India
Papaya price for 1 Kilogram

Country	Price of 1 KG papaya in Rupees
India	20-35
UAE	100
Canada	250
USA	250
Caribean island	170

For the price of 1 kilo apple in India, we can get 5 kilos of papaya which may be ten times more nutritious. It was an old saying in the west that 'Apple a day keeps the doctor away'. But in India it is “ Papaya a day keeps the doctor away”. Kiwi is not common in India, and is expensive. Papaya is very cheap, grows locally  and best in nutrient content and Vitamins. It does not have any pesticides too. 
 

Nutrients in Papaya
Papaya contains an enzyme called papain. Papain helps digestion, tenderizing meats, clear beverages, prevent adhesion during wound healing.

Papaya is an excellent source of vitamin A , Potassium, vitamin C and bioflavonoids. It is known as the No.2 fruit in nutrient content. 100grams of Papaya contains 39-calorie energy; 234 mg potassium 1750 IU of Vitamin A and 56 mg of Vitamin C.  Studies show that high intake of potassium can help keep blood pressure normal.

 Encourage papaya farming.

 Papaya is a fast growing short-lived tree. It requires full sun, windbreaks, well-drained fertile soil and warm and humid climate. Peak production life of papaya is only a few years.

It can be used as vegetable as well as fruit. The green one can be used as vegetable and to tenderize meats.   Fruit can be eaten fresh, squeezed, candied, dried and make in to jellies.

Let us grow minimum three papaya trees in  a house to get regular supply of fruit and vegetable. Or grow two trees per person.You can grow them even in your garden. A small tree in between the bushes, and flowers looks beautiful.  Look at picture of the tree above. If you are student grow  a few trees in your school or college  grounds near the fence. Plant on the yards of churches, temples, offices, parks, police stations etc, where ever there is little land. Students and adults can form a club to grow this fruit tree in public parks like Trivandrum park, Ernakulum parks,  and Thekinkadu maidan, Trichur etc.

This is one of the fruit which does not require pesticides to grow, and rich in vitamins.

How to market it.
 Arrange to sell in the local shops. Form papaya growers society. Sell direct to the customers to get good price. Put a sign board "Papaya for sale"  Now  we are importing papayas in Kerala  from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. If we grow more we can export papaya to other parts of India or  Gulf countries.

How to grow more new papaya trees from the  existing tree or  from the one you like to cut?




Mount layering papaya tree to produce new one.

Mount layering.       1 Cut the papaya  tree      2. Wait for the shoots to grow.  3,Mount with soil,
                                          4) New roots emerge                        5) Cut the each shoot  and plant it.