Dragon fruit cultivation has been experiencing a significant surge in popularity in Mexico, Thailand, and India due to its economic value and the numerous health benefits it offers, resulting in robust demand.
In various districts of Uttar Pradesh, India, farmers are diversifying their crops by including dragon fruit in their cultivation. They are enticed by the promising returns on investment and government subsidies, marking a departure from the fruit’s previous concentration in the southern and eastern states of India.
Meva Ram, the district horticulture officer (DHO) of Mirzapur, introduced the concept of dragon fruit cultivation to farmers in 2015, highlighting its rapid returns and economic production within the first year of planting. Dragon fruit plants reach full production within 3-4 years and continue to yield fruit for an impressive 20-25 years, with an average economic yield of 10 tons per acre after just two years.
The surge in demand for dragon fruit is so high that farmers are encountering challenges in keeping up with it. Even local markets struggle to meet the export demands for this exotic fruit. According to the Department of Horticulture, the cultivation of exotic fruits like avocado, blueberries, strawberries, and dragon fruit is gaining momentum among farmers in Uttar Pradesh. Regions like Mirzapur, Prayagraj, and Sonbhadra are at the forefront of this agricultural diversification, further demonstrating the appeal and economic potential of dragon fruit cultivation in the region.
