Dragon fruit cultivation in south Gujarat, India, is gaining in popularity. At least 15,000 plants of the tropical fruit have been planted in the Surat, Tapi and Baruch districts. A farmer, who spends Rs 275,000 per acre on dragon fruit plantation, can expect seven tonne of fruits after two years.
Jayesh Patel from the Bharuch district imported his seeds from Thailand, now after 18 months, he has nearly 5,000 dragon fruit plants.
"The flowering season for this plant begins in June and lasts until November. The harvesting time is 45 days. This plant and fruit need a humid climate and a good amount of water," said Patel.
"A two-year plant bears at least 45 fruits in a season and one fruit weighs about 250 grams. A red variety sells for Rs300 per kg and white one for Rs150 per kg," said another farmer Jigar Desai.
Dinesh Padaliya, assistant director of horticulture for the Gujarat Government, said, "Many farmers in Narmada district are also likely to go in for dragon fruit cultivation. It can be a good cash crop for many farmers. Dragon fruit cultivation can pick up in south Gujarat and the region can aspire to be a major producer of it like it is of mangoes."
