Lately, dragon fruit farming has emerged as a promising enterprise for a lot of farmers in India. This unique fruit, as soon as unfamiliar to most, has gained immense reputation for its distinctive look and touted well being advantages.
Embracing this rising market, farmers nationwide are cultivating dragon fruit with revolutionary strategies and a deal with sustainability. Listed below are some helpful insights from such farmers.
1. One-time funding, long-term returns
Anshul Mishra, a 28-year-old farmer from Chilaua, Uttar Pradesh, remodeled a barren one-acre plot right into a thriving dragon fruit farm after coming back from his engineering research. Over six years, he expanded his farm to 5 acres and now earns as much as Rs 20 lakh yearly via fruit gross sales and a nursery.
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“Dragon fruit farming requires solely a one-time funding of Rs 3 lakh per acre. This preliminary value covers saplings, infrastructure, and soil preparation. As soon as established, the vegetation yield fruit for 30 to 35 years, offering long-term profitability with out the necessity for replanting each season,” he advises.
2. Be ready for preliminary challenges
Mahesh Asabe, a 27-year-old revolutionary farmer from Akola village in Maharashtra, has turned agriculture right into a worthwhile enterprise in one of many driest areas of the state. Together with his experience in dragon fruit cultivation, he now earns Rs 2 crore yearly from his 20-acre farm.
He emphasises that new ventures include dangers and setbacks. “I used to be very younger and questioned my resolution to domesticate dragon fruit. After we bought zero returns within the first yr, I began feeling depressed. We didn’t even have some other enterprise to outlive on.” He advises others to remain resilient, as success usually takes time.
3. Educate others and construct consciousness
Mahesh believes that constructing consciousness is essential for the success of unconventional crops like dragon fruit.
“No person knew what dragon fruit was. After we managed to get some produce, we took it to the market. Folks doubted whether or not it might even promote. I opened a YouTube channel to make farmers conscious of the perks of dragon fruit farming, which in flip led to an increase in consumption of the fruit,” he says.
By sharing information and educating farmers and customers, he was capable of create demand and assist others realise the potential of dragon fruit farming.
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4. Experiment with soilless planting strategies
Remabhai S, a 58-year-old retired headmistress from Kollam, Kerala, took up dragon fruit farming after her retirement in 2022. Immediately, she harvests 500 kg of dragon fruit a month, incomes Rs 1 lakh month-to-month.
“I didn’t have sufficient vacant land. Additionally, rising dragon fruit on the terrace required numerous soil to be transported. I couldn’t carry soil to the terrace by myself, so I made a decision to observe a soilless planting methodology,” she says.
She advises farmers to discover soilless cultivation strategies, particularly when area is proscribed. Her methodology, which makes use of plastic barrels full of compost, rice peel, and natural materials, has confirmed to be an efficient and sustainable approach of rising dragon fruit with out the necessity for big quantities of soil.
5. Create your personal natural fertiliser
“I take 1 kg of fish, prawns, crab shells, and an equal amount of jaggery. I combine them with tender papaya peel. Preserving it beneath shade, the fertiliser is prepared to be used in about three months. It’s an excellent supply of calcium and phosphorus. These minerals are very helpful for the expansion of the dragon fruit plant,” Remabhai shares.
She encourages aspiring farmers to make their very own natural fertilisers utilizing pure elements, as they supply important vitamins, promote accelerated development, and are cost-effective.
6. Create the appropriate atmosphere for development
Lohith Shetty, a 42-year-old farmer from Kadaba in Karnataka’s Mangaluru, has constructed a profitable enterprise in unique fruit farming, incomes over Rs 1 crore yearly. He grows rambutan on 12 acres, has 500 dragon fruit vegetation, and makes use of mangosteen as an intercrop with areca nut.
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He stresses the significance of making an optimum atmosphere for dragon fruit cultivation. “Dragon fruit and rambutan don’t develop in shade. It is advisable to create the proper atmosphere for them,” he explains.
Guaranteeing that the vegetation obtain sufficient daylight and water is vital to reaching an excellent harvest.
7. Perceive watering wants
In response to Lohith, the correct quantity of water is important for the vegetation. For dragon fruit, constant and managed watering is essential to make sure the vegetation yield fruit three years after being planted.
He employs drip irrigation and fertigation to offer the right amount of water and fertiliser for every plant.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee
