A New Age Crop: The Story of Dragon Fruit
“Hey brother, have you heard about dragon fruit? These days this fruit is in great demand, and the earnings from it are also good. Come on, I will explain everything to you about it!”
Why is the popularity of Dragon Fruit increasing?
Look, the demand for dragon fruit is increasing because people have now become health conscious. This fruit is full of antioxidants and vitamins. Its craze is increasing in India too, and people buy it considering it an exotic fruit.
It was already popular in the USA, but now people here are also adopting it. To reduce imports, the government has started promoting its production.
How to cultivate dragon fruit?
This farming is easy and is perfect for arid and semi-arid regions. If you want to start, then see this:
- Soil and Weather: For this, sandy loam or well-drained soil is required. The temperature should be between 20-30°C.
- Planting Material: 1500-1600 plants can be planted in one acre. The cost of one plant is between ₹60-₹100.
- Trellis System: A trellis has to be installed to support the plants, like cement pillars or wooden poles.
- Water and Fertilizer: Drip irrigation is best, and use organic manure. Waterlogging must be avoided.
- Harvesting: After planting once, it gives the first fruit in 1-1.5 years. Approximately 8 tons are produced from one acre.
How much is the cost and income?
See, initially the cost is a little more, but the return is also good:
- Installation Cost: 1 hectare costs up to ₹8 lakh, which includes plants, trellis, and irrigation equipment.
- Maintenance Cost: Every year it costs ₹30,000-₹50,000.
- Profit: Fruit is sold for around ₹150/kg. One acre earns up to ₹12 lakh. You can earn in lakhs even after excluding maintenance!
Comparison of USA and India
“Dragon fruit is quite popular in the USA too, but the cost is more there. Labor and infrastructure cost is higher than India. The price of a fruit there is between $5-$10. The market there is quite mature, and the growth rate there is 4.7% CAGR. The market in India is still new, but the scope is more.”
Is there any risk in this crop?
“Just like there is some risk in every crop, there is also some risk in dragon fruit. Waterlogging and fungal diseases have to be taken care of. But if you do farming correctly, then the risk is less and the profit is more.”
Future of Dragon Fruit
“Nowadays people invest a lot for health. That’s why the future of dragon fruit is bright. Just try it once, you will enjoy it.”
So, what did you think? Are you ready to plant dragon fruit?