The recent news centers on the landmark achievement where India exported its inaugural shipment of dragon fruit from a farmer based in Maharashtra to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in June 2021.
Meet the Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit, scientifically known as Hylocereus undatus, finds its origins in the Americas and is part of the cacti family. The fruit bears several fascinating monikers worldwide including ‘Pitaya’, ‘Pitahaya’, strawberry pear, noblewoman, and queen of the night. Within India, it is commonly referred to as ‘Kamalam’.
Climatic Adaptability
Resilient by nature, the dragon fruit thrives across an array of climatic conditions and varying soil types, particularly thriving in India’s semi-arid and arid regions. Slightly acidic soil with some salt tolerance provides an ideal environment for growth. The flowering and fruit-bearing cycle correlates with the monsoon season (June to November).
Noteworthy Features
Intriguingly, the flowers are hermaphroditic, meaning they house both male and female organs. Additionally, these blooms make their appearance during the night. A dragon fruit plant can yield harvests for over two decades, offering numerous medicinal benefits, which marries well with value-adding processing industries. It is also a rich storehouse of vitamins and minerals.
Rising Popularity in India
Dragon fruit made its debut in Indian home gardens around the 1990s. Its minimal maintenance requirements and high profitability have steadily gained favor with the farming community nationwide. This trend has proliferated dragon fruit cultivation across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including several northeastern states. Annually, India produces roughly 12,000 tonnes of dragon fruit.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite its many benefits, dragon fruit cultivation does present some challenges. As a climber, it demands support infrastructure, requiring farmers to invest around Rs. 3.5 lakh per acre. Additionally, the cost of drip irrigation increases the initial investment. However, these challenges can be managed effectively. For instance, sunburn, a common issue in semi-arid and arid regions, can be mitigated by providing 25-30% shade. This can be achieved through the strategic placement of shade-providing trees or installing artificial shade nets during the harsh summer months.
Government Support
Recognizing the potential of this crop, the Government of Maharashtra has initiated efforts to promote dragon fruit cultivation within different parts of the state. They’re providing quality planting material and subsidies for cultivation through the Mission on Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). Started in the year 2014-15, MIDH is a government-sponsored program aimed at holistic growth of the horticulture sector. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, responsible for implementing MIDH, covers a wide variety of crops including fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa, and bamboo.
