Jackfruit Farming in India: Complete Guide to Cultivation, Cost, Yield & Profit

Short Overview

Jackfruit has been part of Indian farming and household gardens for generations. In many places, however, it was treated as a tree that simply grew around the farm rather than as a serious commercial crop. Imagine a single tree that can provide a family with food, timber, shade and a steady income for more than 60 years. This is no fantasy crop but the humble jackfruit, India’s own “super food”, waiting for its farming revolution. Jackfruit has been growing semi-wild in backyards and field boundaries in Kerala, Karnataka and Eastern states for generations. But today, this multi-purpose fruit is coming into its own. As the world moves toward plant-based diets, jackfruit has become a global sensation for its meat-like texture. Demand is soaring from Mumbai to Melbourne and prices are rising.

This is an opportunity of a lifetime for you, the Indian farmer. “Jackfruit farming is not only about growing a fruit, but also growing a resilient asset. Once established it requires low input, flourishes in all Indian climates and gives returns for generations. If you have a small plot of land or want to diversify a larger farm, jackfruit is a way to sustainable and profitable agriculture. This is your hands-on, step-by-step guide to make this potential a reality. This guide is especially customised for Indian soil and conditions.

 Jackfruit Crop Overview Table

ParameterDetails
Scientific NameArtocarpus heterophyllus
Botanical FamilyMoraceae (Mulberry family)
OriginWestern Ghats of India
Climate RequirementHumid tropical & subtropical
Optimal Temperature25°C – 35°C
Soil TypeDeep, well-drained loamy soil
Soil pH Range6.0 – 7.5 (Slightly acidic to neutral)
Best Planting SeasonOnset of monsoon (June-July)
Spacing8m x 8m to 10m x 10m (High-Density: 6m x 6m)
Plants per Acre70 – 100 (Standard), up to 110 (High-Density)
Plants per Hectare175 – 250 (Standard), up to 275 (High-Density)
First Harvest4th – 5th year (grafted plants)
Full Bearing Age8th – 10th year
Average Yield per Tree50 – 200 fruits (varies with age & variety)
Yield per Acre/Year8 – 20 tonnes (at full bearing)
Yield per Hectare/Year20 – 50 tonnes (at full bearing)
Economic Lifespan60+ years

About Jackfruit Fruit


Jackfruit, known as kathal in Hindi, chakka in Malayalam and palapalam in Telugu, is not just a fruit but a cultural and nutritional powerhouse that is native to our country. It is a member of the family Moraceae and is indigenous to the rain forests of Western Ghats. It has been a vital food security crop in South and East India and often referred to as the “poor man’s food,” but is now rightly being celebrated as a “superfood.”

Nutritional Value: The Jack fruit is a good source of nutrition in all parts. The fleshy bulbs (flakes) are a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibre and vitamins like A, C and B-complex. They are rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium and iron. The seeds are rich in protein and starch. Jackfruit is also cholesterol free and low in calories and is a healthy choice.

Economic Importance Jackfruit has a multi-dimensional economic potential. It was originally sold as a fresh fruit, but its value has grown exponentially as a plant-based meat alternative. The young, unripe fruit (tender jackfruit) is used in curries and pickles, while the ripe fruit is eaten fresh or processed. Commercial & Processing Uses are growing rapidly and include:

Value Added Products: Canned tender jack fruit, jack fruit chips, jack fruit flour, jams and juices.
Vegan Meat: Chunked or shredded for use in burgers, biryanis and tacos.
Use of the seeds: roasted seeds, flour from seeds, extraction of starch.
Other Uses: The wood is termite resistant and is used in furniture. The latex is used in industry.

Climate & Soil Requirment

Climate for Jackfruit Cultivation

Jackfruit is a hardy tropical tree, but does best in certain conditions.

Climate: Thrives best in hot and humid tropical and subtropical climates. It does not like too much heat (desert areas) or prolonged cold.
The optimum temperature range is 25°C to 35°C. Growth stops below 15 °C. Young trees are very vulnerable to frost.
Rainfall Requirement: It prefers an annual rainfall of 1500 mm to 2500 mm, well distributed during the year. Once established it will cope with brief dry spells.
Light Needs: Full sun (6-8 hours per day minimum) needed for best growth, flowering and fruit production. Dense shade cuts yields drastically.
Chill Hour Requirement: 0 . It is a tropical plant with no chilling requirement.
Wind: Young plants need protection from strong hot winds. Mature trees develop a thick canopy but may lose branches in cyclonic winds.

Top States & Regions – India Context:

Traditional Belts: Kerala, Karnataka (coastal and Malnad), Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra (Konkan), West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Odisha and Northeastern states.
Expansion of Regions: It can be successfully grown in foothills of Uttarakhand and Himachal, parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh with proper management.

Soil Requirements:
Jackfruit is not particular about soil but does best in the right medium.

Best Soil Type: Deep, well drained loamy soil is ideal. The tree has a strong taproot system that requires depth to anchor and mine water and nutrients.
Soil pH Range: The ideal soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. The tree is able to withstand some salinity but not high alkalinity.
Drainage Requirement: Good drainage is essential. Root rot can kill the tree, especially when young, if there is stagnant water or waterlogged conditions for just 2-3 days.
Soil Preparation Tips: If you have heavy clay soil, you will want to improve drainage by adding river sand and organic matter. Mix sandy soil with plenty of farmyard manure (FYM) or compost to increase water retention.

Jackfruit cultivation in India showing commercial orchard planting method
Jackfruit cultivation in India showing commercial orchard planting method

Best Jackfruit Varieties to Grow

The first step toward success is to select the right variety. Choose your market (fresh fruit or processing), and local climate.

Indian Indigenous Varieties

Singapore (or Syncone): Early bearing (2.5-3 years), dwarf tree, sweet bulbs, suitable for high density planting. Popular in Tamil Nadu & Kerala
Muttam Varikka: Kerala. Known for firm, crisp, sweet bulbs with less latex. Very good fresh use.
Siddu : From Karnataka’s Malnad region. The fruits are medium-sized with very sweet deep yellow bulbs.
Hazari (or Ghila) – From Eastern India (West Bengal, Assam) Very productive, bears many medium sized fruits.
Rudrakshi : Fruits (small to medium size, small seeds, sweet bulbs) Excellent for canning.
Enhanced/Hybrid Varieties:
Swarna (CFSIR Selection) ICAR-CISH, Lucknow Seedless (parthenocarpic), early bearing, soft bulbs, very good sweet taste.
Konkan Ashwini (Sreejith): – Developed by Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth. Dwarf tree, early and heavy bearing, good for processing.
Surabhi (PPI Jackfruit 1) Hybrid from Kerala with good quality bulbs and consistent yield.
Muttom Varikka (Improved Clones) Tissue cultured or grafted Muttom trees are the best to ensure uniformity and quality.

Government Varieties Recommended:
The ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) institutes recommend varieties according to the region. For Example, Swarna and Singapore are widely advocated for the North Indian plains, while Muttam Varikka and Hazari are advocated in their native regions.

Suitability (General Guide) Regionwise:

South India: Surabhi, Siddu, Muttam Varikka, Singapore
Konkan (Western India) : Sreejith (Konkan Ashwini) – Singapore.
Eastern and North-Eastern India, Singapore. Rudrakshi Hazari
North Indian Plains: Hazari, Singapore, Swarna

Propagation Techniques of Jackfruit
It is necessary to have good planting material. Never grow trees from random seed, they will be unpredictable and take 7-8 years to fruit.

Seed propagation: Not recommended for commercial farming because of long juvenile period (7-8 years) and high variability in fruit quality. Useful for growing rootstock.
Grafting: The most popular and reliable method. Grafting on soft wood is very successful (80-90% success rate). A twig (scion) of the desired variety is grafted onto a seedling rootstock. The grafted plants bear fruit in 4-5 years and also retain the characteristics of the mother tree.
Budding: Patch budding is also effective, but is less frequently used than grafting.
Rootstock Selection: Select vigorous disease free seedings of known varieties for rootstock.
Nursery Preparation : Get plants only from certified nurseries or government horticulture departments. Find 9-12 month old grafted plants that are healthy and pest free.
Requirement (per acre/hectare):
~ 70 plants/acre ~ 175 plants/hectare ~ 8m x 8m spacing
For 10m x 10m spacing: ~45 plants / acre, ~110 plants / hectare
High density (6m x 6m) ~ 110 plants/acre, ~ 275 plants/hectare

Getting the Land Ready for a Jackfruit Garden

A healthy orchard that will last for decades begins with good land preparation.

Land Preparation: Remove all the weeds, stones and the previous crop residuums from the field. Plough deeply to break any hard pan, to a depth of 60-90 cm, to allow root penetration.
Ploughing: Fine tilth can be obtained by 2-3 cross ploughings. Level the ground well, so that no water remains standing.
Pit Size: Dig pits 3-4 weeks prior to planting. Measures 1m x 1m x 1m (length x width x depth). Don’t mix topsoil and subsoil.
Spacing & Layout: Mark out the field using your preferred spacing (8m x 8m or 10m x 10m) Use a square or hexagonal system for optimal light interception.
FYM / Organic Manure Mixing: Fill the pit with a mixture of topsoil + 25-30 kg of well-rotted Farm Yard Manure (FYM) or compost + 1 kg of neem cake + 500 grams of Single Super Phosphate (SSP) + 100 grams of Trichoderma viride bio-fungicide. This mixture feeds the plant and protects it from soil diseases.
Soil Treatment: In case of the area has a record of termites, mix Chlorpyriphos dust in the mixture of pit filling (as per label recommendation).


Planting Method of Jackfruit

Best planting time: The monsoon season (June-July) is the best time to plant. This gives the seedling a whole rainy season to establish its roots. In irrigated areas, sowing can be done in early spring also (February-March).
Planting Depth: The sapling should be planted to the same depth it was in the nursery bag. Do not bury the graft union (that bulge of where the scion touches the rootstock). It should stay above the soil.
Spacing & Distance: As discussed: Standard – 8m x 8m to 10m x 10m. High-Density (for dwarf varieties like Singapore) – 6m x 6m.
Planting technique Dig the pit. Make a small hole in the middle of the pit. Gently remove the polythene bag without disturbing the soil ball. Place the plant, fill the gaps with soil, and press gently. Wash immediately and thoroughly.
Mulching: Apply a layer of dry leaves, paddy straw or grass clippings all round the base of the plant, leaving a gap near the stem. Mulching conserves soil moisture, controls weeds and enriches the soil as it decomposes.
Staking: Tie the young plant to a firm stake (bamboo pole) to protect it from strong wind.
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Jackfruit Cultivation: Watering


Once established jackfruit are drought tolerant but good irrigation in the first few years is necessary to ensure good growth.

Water Needs: Once mature, trees develop deep roots and require less frequent watering. Young trees (1-3 years) require regular moisture.
Interval of Irrigation:
Year 1: Water every 3-4 days in the summer and once a week in the winter. Heavy rain no need for irrigation.
2nd-5th Year: Water once a week in summer, once every 15 days in winter.
Mature Trees (5+ years): During the dry summer months (March-May), watering every 15-20 days will help in fruit development.
Growth Stages of Importance: Water is important during new flush growth, flowering and fruit development stages (January to May). Water stress during these stages may lead to flower/fruit drop.
Drip Irrigation System: Highly recommended for orchards of jackfruit. Saves 40-50% water, water delivered directly to the root zone, ideal for fertigation. Set 2-4 drippers for each tree.
Rainfed Agriculture: High rainfall regions (>2000 mm) with established orchards may not need irrigation. Mulch well to retain moisture during dry periods.
Water stress causes the flowers to fall, the fruit to be small, the pulp of poor quality and the ripe fruit to crack. Waterlogging however kills roots.

Manure & Fertilizer Schedule

Jackfruit responds well to organic manures. A balanced approach ensures healthy growth and high yields.

Year-wise Fertilizer Schedule (per plant per year)

YearFYM/Compost (kg)N (g)P2O5 (g)K2O (g)Application Time
1st Year10-15504050Split into two doses (Jun & Sep)
2nd Year15-2010080100Split into two doses (Jun & Sep)
3rd Year20-25150120150Split into two doses (Jun & Sep)
4th Year Onwards (Bearing Tree)25-40500-600300-400600-800Apply FYM + full P & K + 1/3 N before flowering (Dec-Jan). Apply remaining 2/3 N after fruit set (Mar-Apr).

Practical Tips: .

Micronutrients: Spray 0.5% Zinc Sulphate and 0.2% Boron once before flowering to enhance fruit set and quality.
Fertigation: Water soluble fertilisers (19:19:19, 13:0:45 etc.) can be applied through the system in small frequent doses.
Organic Nutrient Options: Can be a complete replacement for chemical fertilisers. Use combinations of Vermicompost, Neem Cake, Mustard Cake, Bone Meal (for P) and Wood Ash (for K). “Liquid organic supplements such as Jeevamrutha and Panchagavya are good.
Always apply fertilisers in a circular trench around the tree (at the drip line) where the roots are active, then mix with soil and irrigate.

Intercropping & Weed Management 🌾

Intercropping in Jackfruit Garden


The first 4-5 years the space between the jackfruit trees is big. Intercropping provides early income and improves soil health.

Short-term Income generating crops: Vegetables such as Beans, Cowpea, Radish, Carrot, Cucumber and leafy vegetables. Good long-duration intercrops in shade-tolerant conditions are pineapple, ginger and turmeric.
Crops that improve soil: Grow legumes like soybean, black gram (urad) or green gram (moong) They fix atmospheric nitrogen and thus benefit the main crop. These can be used as green manure and ploughed back into the soil.
Important: Keep a clear space of minimum 1.5-2 meters diameter around the jackfruit tree free from intercrops to avoid competition for water and nutrients.

Weed Management

Hand Weeding: Required, especially in the first 2-3 years. Weed 3 to 4 times a year, especially before applying fertiliser.
Mulching: The best long-term strategy. A thick layer of organic mulch (10-15 cm) suppresses 90 percent of weeds, conserves moisture and adds organic matter.
Organic Weed Control: Apply corn gluten meal or spray vinegar-based solutions on young weeds (avoid spraying on jackfruit leaves).
Herbicides: Usually not recommended in young orchards due to potential damage. In mature orchards, weeds can be sprayed with non-residual, contact herbicides such as Glyphosate (with a shield), so that no spray drift is applied on the tree.

Training and Pruning System

It is important in the early years to correctly shape the tree for a strong structure and easy harvesting later.

Training Systems: The objective is to develop a tree with 3-5 well placed, strong main branches (primary scaffold) coming out of the trunk at about 1 metre above the ground.
Year 1 pruning: Pinch off terminal bud when tree is about 1.5 m tall to encourage side branching.
Pruning Seasonal pruning (after harvesting or in late winter during dormancy). Here is some text that has been humanised: Remove:
Dead, diseased or injured limbs.
Interior shoots (water shoots: vertical, non-fruiting branches) develop.
Crossing, rubbing branches against each other.
Branches touching the ground at lower level
Benefits of Pruning: Enables light and air to penetrate into the canopy, decreases pest/disease incidence, directs energy into fruit production, maintains height of tree for easier harvest.
Impact on Yield & Fruit Quality: A good prune will increase the size and quality of the fruit, and make it easier to bag and harvest. Trees that are too crowded produce many small fruits of poor quality.

Jackfruit Farming Pests & Diseases

The jackfruit tree is fairly hardy, but can be susceptible to some pests and diseases. It is important to check regularly.

Major Pests:
Shoot and Fruit Borer: The larva bores into young shoots and fruits. Symptoms: Shoots will drop and gum will ooze from fruit entry points.
Control: Remove and destroy infected shoots or fruit. Neem oil (3 ml/L) or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC (0.3 ml/L).
Mealybugs & Aphids: Sucking sap from leaves and shoots, excreting honeydew which causes sooty mould. Control: Neem oil soap solution or spray Dimethoate 30% EC (1 ml/L)
Stem Borer: Larvae bore into the main trunk Symptoms. Sawdust-like excreta at base. Control: Put kerosene or Chlorpyriphos into the holes and close them with clay.
Jackfruit Leaf Webber Caterpillars feed on and web leaves. Control: Remove webbing leaves. Apply Spinosad 45% SC (0.3 ml/L).

Major Diseases:

Rhizopus Fruit Rot (Soft Rot): Severe during rainy season. The fungus causes early fruit to soften and rot rapidly. Control: Collect young fruits. Spray prophylactic spray with Carbendazim 50% WP (1g/L) or Mancozeb (2g/L).
Dieback: Fungal infection causing twigs to dry out from tip downwards. Control: Prune and burn infected branches 6 inches below infection. Copper Oxychloride Spray (3 g/L)
Leaf Spot Small brown spots form on the leaves. Control: Not usually serious. Maintain orchard sanitation If the problem is severe spray Mancozeb.
General Preventative Measures: Provide good drainage, keep the orchard clean (pick up fallen leaves/fruits), avoid overcrowding and encourage beneficial insects such as ladybirds.

Flowering and Fruiting Phase

Flowering Time: In most parts of India the chief flowering season is from December to March. Off-season bloom (July-August) may occur in some varieties.
Pollination Requirements: The jackfruit is monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same tree). It is mainly pollinated by insects (flies, bees) and by wind. No hand pollination.
Fruit Set. Following pollination, the female flower head (initial fruit) starts to swell. Natural fruit drop occurs; only a small percentage of flowers develop into mature fruits.
Maturity Period: The time from fruit set to harvest is 120 to 180 days, depending on variety and climate. In the last month fruits are growing fast.
Practical Tip: Practice fruit bagging for better-sized and borer-free fruits. When the fruit is the size of a cricket ball, place a polypropylene or paper bag over it. It improves the colour and protects against pest and bird damage.

Jackfruit Fruit Harvesting


Quality and shelf life are dependent on harvesting at the right stage.

Harvesting Time: Harvest jackfruit for vegetable use when 3-4 months old and spines on the rind are still soft and green. Avoid heat by harvesting ripe fruit in the morning or late afternoon.

Signs of Ripeness in Fruit:

Makes a dull, hollow sound when tapped.
Rind spines become flattened and far apart.
“Fruit has a strong sweet aromatic smell.
The last leaf of the fruit stem yellowed.
Harvesting Method: Use a sharp sickle or clipper attached to a long pole. Cut the stem leaving 2-3 cm attached to the fruit. Don’t let the fruit fall to the ground, as it will bruise quickly and spoil. Handle fruits carefully to prevent latex oozing.
Harvest/Post harvest handling:
Remove latex with a cloth soaked in mustard or sesame oil.
Keep harvested fruits in a cool shaded area.
Cushioned crates or baskets are used to pack fruits for transport.

Commercial jackfruit farming in India showing fresh jackfruit harvest
Commercial jackfruit farming in India showing fresh jackfruit harvest

Jackfruit Production

Production varies greatly depending on variety, age, and management practices

Yield per Tree A healthy, well-managed tree can yield:
4th-5th year: 10-25 fruits
Full bearing (8th-10th year) 50-150 fruits.
Peak age (15 to 50 years): 100 to 250 fruits
Yield per Acre: Based on 70 full-bearing trees (average of 100 fruits per tree and an average fruit weight of 8 kg):
70 trees x 100 fruits x 8 kg = 56,000 kg or 56 tonnes. This is a theoretical upper limit. A realistic achievable yield is 8 to 20 tonnes per acre per year.
Yield per Hectare: 20 to 50 tonnes per hectare per year, or about 2.5 times the acre yield.
Yield factors: Poor soil, water stress, lack of nutrients, lack of sunlight, heavy pest/disease infestation, lack of pollination, improper pruning.

Jackfruit Storage and Marketing

How well you handle your produce after harvest determines your final profit.

Storage:
Ripe Fruit: Can be stored at room temp for 3-5 days. It can be stored for 2-3 weeks at 11-13°C, 85-90% relative humidity.
Cut Fruit: Cut bulbs away from the rind and store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for months.
Tender jackfruit can be cut into pieces, blanched and frozen for storage.
Cold storage: For commercial scale. Cooperatives or FPOs can invest in cold storage facilities to increase marketability.
Transport: Trucks with ventilation. Pack fruits carefully, with padding to avoid bruising during transit.
Local Markets: Wholesale, mandis, direct sale to retailers, roadside stalls.
Processing & Value Added Products: This is where the biggest profits are to be made. Processing on a small scale to:
Tender vacuum packed jackfruit for curry.
ripe or green Jackfruit chips.
Jackfruit flour (from dried seeds/pods)
Ready-to-eat chunks of jackfruit in brine for vegan products.
Export Potential: Frozen tender jackfruit, canned products and chips have huge demand from USA, Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia. Contact APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) regarding export protocols and subsidies.

Cost of Jackfruit Farming & Profit Margin

Here is a simplified cost and profitability analysis for one acre of jackfruit cultivation (70 plants, 8m x 8m spacing) over 10 years.

Cost ComponentInitial Years (Year 1-3) *Total for 3 yearsBearing Years (Year 6-10) *Per Year
Land Preparation, Pits, Planting Material₹ 35,000 – ₹ 50,000
FYM, Fertilizers, Micronutrients₹ 15,000 – ₹ 20,000₹ 8,000 – ₹ 12,000
Irrigation (Drip System + Water)₹ 40,000 – ₹ 60,000 (Drip Capital Cost)₹ 3,000 – ₹ 5,000
Labor (Weeding, Pruning, Application)₹ 20,000 – ₹ 30,000₹ 10,000 – ₹ 15,000
Plant Protection₹ 5,000 – ₹ 8,000₹ 3,000 – ₹ 5,000
Intercrop Income (Net)(₹ 20,000 – ₹ 40,000) *Credit*
Total Establishment Cost (Years 1-3)₹ 95,000 – ₹ 1,28,000
(After subtracting intercrop income)
Annual Maintenance Cost (Year 6-10)₹ 24,000 – ₹ 37,000

Income and Profit Estimation (from 6th Year Onwards)

Farm Gate: Highly variable Market Price Tender jackfruit: Rs. 15-30 a kg. Ripe Fruit: Rs 10-25/kg. Premium processed products command much higher prices (₹100-₹300/kg).
Expected Annual Yield (6th-10th year) 8-12 tonnes/acre (conservative estimate)
Expected Annual Income(@ avg. ₹15/kg) = 10,000 kg x ₹15 = ₹ 1,50,000.
Maintenance Cost (per year): Average ₹ 30,000
Net Profit per Acre per Year: ₹ 1,50,000 – ₹ 30,000 = ₹ 1,20,000.
ROI Time: Recovery of investment in 7-8 years. Starting from the 8th year the orchard becomes highly profitable for the next 50+ years with little incremental cost.

Government Schemes for Jackfruit Cultivation

Central and State schemes for financial assistance are:

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) : Subsidies for planting material, drip irrigation, machinery and post-harvest infrastructure. The subsidy can be 40-60 per cent of cost.
National Horticulture Mission (NHM): Same support under the state plans. Get in touch with your District Horticulture Officer.
Subsidy Schemes: Drip/sprinkler systems (max. subsidy @ 55%), polyhouses and cold storage units.
Nursery Support : Many state horticulture farms sell certified quality saplings at subsidised rates.
Training Programs: Training on cultivation and processing of jackfruit is being given by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).
Benefits by State: Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra are states with specific policies for jackfruit promotion. Check your state’s department of horticulture website.

Conclusion

Jackfruit cultivation is not just agriculture, it is an investment toward a sustainable and prosperous future. As we’ve seen, this native Indian crop is incredibly resilient, requires little upkeep once established and has a booming market driven by health-conscious consumers and the plant-based food revolution. The first 5-7 years of the journey require patience, but the reward of a steady high income for decades is well worth the wait.

Select the right grafted variety for your area, prepare your land well and follow the practical steps on irrigation, nutrition and pest management in this guide. Consider intercropping for quick returns and seriously think about value addition and organic certification to maximise your profits. Be sure to contact your local horticulture department for subsidies and training available.

The jackfruit tree has silently fed generations. It’s time to grow it intentionally and build it into a pillar of your farm income. Make the first step today. Visit a nearby government nursery, talk to a successful jackfruit grower in your area and prepare your land for this golden harvest of the future. Your future self, and the next generation, will thank you.

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