Dragon Fruit Farming: A New Revaluation in Agriculture

Introduction

In India, the 1990s saw the introduction of Dragon Fruit Farming to backyard gardens. Due to its profitability and the fact that it required fewer inputs once established, it became more well-liked among farmers.

The plant has a yield that lasts for more than 20 years, has a high level of nutritive characteristics, and is suitable for industries that add value through processing. The farming community in India has been drawn to dragon fruits because of their low care requirements and high profitability.

It is a tropical fruit. It is also referred to globally as “Pitaya,” “Pitahaya,” strawberry pear, noblewoman, and queen of the night. The name surface of the fruit refers to the scaly spikes and also the skin that easily resembles leather. Dragon Fruit Farming

This Fruit is best to grow t in areas with lower rainfall expectations. This fruit tree is handled both as a decorative and fruit-producing plant. dragon fruit growing is eaten, but it can also be made into jams, ice creams, jellies, fruit juices, and wine. Also used in face packs is this fruit.

READ MORE:-What is Dragon fruit so expensive?

Dragon fruit blossoming and fruiting in India occur during the monsoon season. Its flowers open at night and are naturally hermaphrodites (contain both male and female parts). Pollinators include nocturnal creatures like hawk moths and bats.

Pollination done correctly guarantees fruit setting, size, and overall yield. From June through November, flowering and fruits often take place in a series of flushes and typically in three to five segments (staggered).

The weight of each fruit ranges from 200 to 700 grams, depending on the methods of care. Economic fruit yields begin in well-managed orchards after three years, and the average production can reach five tons per acre. 30–35 days after blossoming, fruits are ready for harvest.

Drip irrigation also raises the cost of the initial investment. RCC poles can be built at a variety of spacings, including 2.5 2 meters, 3 1.5 meters, 3 3 meters, and 4 3 meters. The spread of disease and pests is slowed down by optimal spacing, which also promotes unrestricted airflow and light penetration.

What are the areas needed for the Dragon Fruit Farming business in India?

Farmers in India grow the following three primary varieties: red flesh with pink skin, white flesh with yellow skin, and white flesh with pink skin. In well-managed orchards, fruit production can start as early as the first year after planting, but the third year marks the beginning of major harvests.

This has caused the cultivation of dragon fruit taste to rise dramatically in various northeastern states as well as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Because of their nutritional value, fruits are in high demand in urban areas. Fruit prices in Mumbai, Pune, and Surat range from Rs 50 to Rs 120 per kg. Local retailers sell fruits for Rs 60-Rs 100 per piece. Sunburn is a common problem in semi-arid and arid areas, and it can be mitigated by providing 25-30% shade, either by planting shade-producing trees (such as moringa, sesbania, and Melia Dubai) or by installing artificial shade nets during the hot summer months.

How are farmers taking care of dragon fruit farming?

Farmers in Maharashtra’s Baramati region are incorporating moringa (Odyssey or PKM 1 variety) at a density of 100-120 trees per acre in dragon fruit orchards. This not only helps to reduce sunburn but also increases income from the sale of moringa pods between February and May.

Market rates are highly variable and are primarily determined by fruit size and pulp color. growing dragon fruit requires little pest and disease management, so farmers are becoming more interested in it. However, due to high humidity and poor air circulation, dense planting of shade trees in dragon fruit orchards may invite pest and disease problems.

How is Dragon fruit derived?

Dragon fruit is derived from climbing vines and the Cactaceae species. This fruit has a delicately sweet but crunchy flavor and an enticing appearance with green scales and pink skin. Because of its scaly appearance, the fruit was given the name dragon fruit tree images.

This fruit ranges in size from 6 to 12 cm and has an oval shape. It has white pulp that contains black edible seeds. So, if you want to practice commercial dragon fruit cultivation, you have come to the right place!

Dragon fruit can be eaten fresh or used to make jams, ice cream, jelly, fruit juice, and wine. This fruit is also used to make face masks. This type of Dragon Fruit Farming and cultivation is ideal for areas with low rainfall. This fruit plant is both an ornamental plant and a fruit-producing plant.

Growth in India of the Dragon Fruit Business

Let us now discuss how to grow Dragon Fruit. This is where we will inform you about-

• Climate requirements for dragon fruit cultivation
• Dragon fruit agriculture land preparation
• Dragon fruit agriculture helps to prepare the soil
• Dragon fruit plant training requires fertilizer and manure
• Dragon fruit Irrigation
• Diseases and pests
• Harvesting dragon fruit
• dragon fruit amazon
• dragon fruit seeds
• dragon fruit tree images
• growing dragon fruit
• dragon fruit taste

This fruit plant thrives in poor soil and temperature variations. As a result, the tropical climate is ideal for dragon fruit farming. Protected Cultivation requires 50 cm of annual rainfall.

What does dragon fruit farming require?

Dragon fruit cultivation requires temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C. The dragon fruit plants cannot tolerate excessive sunlight. So, if you want to cultivate it in a high-light area, simply provide shade.

Organic manure is essential for the growth and development of the dragon fruit tree images. Each plant must be treated with a minimum of 10 to 15 Kg of organic compost. Following that, you must increase the manure by 2 kg per year. It has the potential to increase the productivity of your dragon fruit farm.

READ MORE:-Complete Information About Dragon Fruit Farming 2022

In addition to organic fertilizers, it requires inorganic fertilizers to promote vegetative growth. For the vegetative stage, the fertilizer ratio is accordingly set to Muriate of potash: super phosphate: urea = 40:90:70 grams/plant.

At the fruit-bearing stage, you must also provide a high amount of potash and a low amount of nitrogen. Various fertilizers, including Urea: superphosphate: and Muriate of potash = 50:50:100 grams/plant, should be applied from flowering to harvesting. This solution can be given prior to flowering, during fruit development, and after harvesting.

Best time to grow Dragon Fruit

In the first year, dragon fruit appears on the plants. It bears fruits from August to December, and the fruits are ready for harvesting after one month of flowering. Aside from that, the flowering season lasts until December.

These fruits can be picked up to six times during this time period. The best time to harvest is when the fruits turn red. Harvesting is best done after 3 to 4 days of color change. For export, however, you should harvest them after 1 day of color change. Per acre, you can expect to produce 5 to 6 tons of dragon fruit seeds.

What Does Dragon Fruit contain?

Dragon fruit contains a variety of nutrients that help people stay fit and healthy. So, the nutrients are as follows:

• Calories: 136
• Protein: 3 grams
• Fiber: 7 grams
• Iron: 8% of the RDI
• Fat: 0 grams
• Carbohydrates: 29 grams
• Vitamin E: 4% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 18% of the RDI
• Vitamin C: 9% of the RDI

What are the Benefits of Dragon Fruit?

Dragon fruit contains a variety of powerful antioxidants. Furthermore, antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing cell damage and inflammation.

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C intake has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of cancer.
• Betalains: Betalains can protect against oxidative stress and suppress cancer cells.
• Carotenoids: Carotenoids can lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.

What Are the Advantages of Eating Dragon Fruit?

Men should consume 38 grams of Fibre per day, while women should consume 25 grams. Fibre, on the other hand, is well-known for its role in digestion. It is also beneficial for reducing the risk of heart disease, managing type 2 diabetes, lowering the risk of colon cancer, and maintaining a healthy body weight.

The community of microorganisms in your gut can have an impact on your health, and imbalances in your gut can increase your risk of asthma and heart disease. As a result, you can consume dragon fruit because it contains prebiotics. It has the ability to balance good bacteria in your gut murim rpg simulation wiki.

Dragon fruit is an iron-rich fruit. Iron’s job is to transport oxygen throughout the body. It is also essential in converting food into energy. In one cup, dragon fruit contains approximately 18% of your RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) of magnesium. Furthermore, your body contains 24g of magnesium.

Dragon Fruit: Know The Importance

The following are some other benefits of dragon fruit.

• Aids in cholesterol reduction
• It aids in weight management.
• Fats and proteins are abundant.
• An excellent source of antioxidants
• Aids in the prevention of arthritis
• Aids in the improvement of heart health
• Vitamin and mineral content is high.
• Aids in the fight against aging
• Aids in the prevention of asthma

Here are the kinds of Dragon Fruits that are popular seasonally

1. Undatus Hylocereus

Pitahaya is another name for it, and it has white flesh with pink skin. The fruit is 6-12 cm long, 4-9 cm thick, and contains edible black seeds. It is well-known among dragon fruit varieties.

2. Polyrhizus Hylocereus

This variety is also known as red pitaya because of its red flesh and pink skin. This variety originated in Mexico, but it is now available in many countries. Among the various dragon fruit varieties, this one is the most profitable.

3. Costaricencis Hylocereus

Costa Rican Pitaya is another name for this variety, native to Costa Rica. It has violet-red flesh and pink skin, and its fruits are magenta with pear-shaped seeds. You can easily raise this type of dragon.

READ MORE:-All About Dragon Fruit: 3 Health Benefits + How to Eat It

How to Consume Dragon Fruit?

While the thick, leathery skin of dragon fruit can be intimidating, eating it is actually quite simple. Because unripe dragon fruit is green, look for the bright red one. Some spots are normal, but excessive spots indicate over-ripeness. A ripe dragon fruit, like an avocado or a kiwi, should not be mushy.

Let us now learn how to eat dragon fruit–

• Cut the fruit in half lengthwise with a sharp knife.
• Using a spoon, scoop out the white pulp.
• Without cutting into the peel, you can cut the pulp into cubes.
• To reveal the cubes, press on the back of the skin.
• You can now eat it or add it to salads.

What kind of soil is good for Dragon Fruit Cultivation?

Sandy loamy soil is good for the growth of Dragon fruit farming. This fruit can be grown in a variety of soil types, ranging from sandy loam to clay loam. However, sandy soils with good organic matter and a good drainage system are ideal for their cultivation. A pH of 5.5 to 7 is ideal for dragon fruit cultivation.

What is the Time that a dragon fruit takes to grow?

Plants can start flowering in as little as six to eight months, though container-grown plants can take up to two years. The good news is that once mature, you can expect four to six fruiting cycles per year from a plant that can bear fruit for 20 to 30 years.

Common Questions raised for Dragon Fruits

Why is dragon fruit so expensive?

The demand for dragon fruit is particularly great, making it difficult to locate in stores and even impossible in some regions of the country.

These vitamins and minerals can help support your immune system and keep you healthier even during a time when others are getting sick. The digestive system will benefit from the abundance of dietary fiber and other nutrients found in dragon fruit. The ones with the greatest health advantages are typically quite a bit more expensive than others.

How to store dragon fruit?

Before storing a dragon fruit, peeling or cutting it will greatly reduce its lifespan. To guarantee it stays fresh, transfer it directly from your supermarket bag to the storage location[1]

Place the dragon fruit on the counter if you intend to consume it within the next several days. If left out, dragon fruit will keep for a few days, but be careful not to cut it or peel it first. Place the dragon fruit in a bag or container that is tightly closed. To keep it fresh, remove as much air as you can from the bag or container.

Is dragon fruit acidic?

All dragon fruits are somewhat acidic, however, the fruit is regarded as alkaline due to its abundance of alkalizing minerals and high water content. When compared to yellow and white dragon fruits, red dragon fruits have a higher mineral content and contain more antioxidants. Click here for more info.

Bottom Line for Dragon Fruit Cultivation

To begin this dragon fruit farming, you should create a dragon fruit business plan. You can include the cost of dragon fruit cultivation per acre, where dragon fruit is grown, where to sell dragon fruit in India, and other factors in this. Furthermore, farming is profitable. So, if you are going to do it commercially, go ahead and do it.