Dragon fruit exported to Dubai Markets cultivated by Maharashtra farmers

In a major boost to export of exotic fruits, a consignment of fibre and mineral-rich ‘Dragon Fruit’, also referred as Kamalam, has been exported to Dubai. 

A consignment of Dragon Fruit for export was sourced from the farmers of Tadasar village in Sangli district of Maharashtra. 

Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus Sp.)  is a perennial climbing cactus plant Dragan fruit is widely cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. USA, Australia, and some countries of Southeast Asia are the leading growing area of dragon fruit. Dragon Fruit also is known as Red Pitaya fruit In recent years this fruit drew attention to among Indian farmers due to its high economic value, medicinal properties, Nutritional value, and its color and taste. 

Dragan fruit introduced in India in the early 90,s Since then production area under dragon fruit cultivation is continuously increasing and today it is mainly grown in the state like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujrat, Odisha, and Kerala. Dragon fruit demand is increasing day by day in the country and to meet the domestic demand India imports Dragon fruits from the country like; SriLanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia hence dragon fruit cultivation is a good opportunity for the farmers to enhance the farm economy.

Dragon fruit production commenced in India in early 1990s and was grown as home gardens. Dragon Fruit has become increasingly popular in recent years in the country as it has been taken up for cultivation by farmers across various states. 

The cultivation requires less water and can be grown in various kinds of soils. Dragon fruit belongs to the cactus family hence it requires a long day to flowering and cultivation of this fruit is well suited to the dry and frost-free regions. Although the initial investment in the Dragon fruit is quite high it gives substantial results within three to four years of planting. 

There are mainly three types of Dragon fruits ;

1)Hylocereus undatus (Pitaya blanca or white-fleshed pitaya) has pink-skinned fruit with white flesh. This is the most commonly seen "dragon fruit".
2)Hylocereus costaricensis (Pitaya roja or red-fleshed pitaya, also known as Hylocereus polyrhizus) has red-skinned fruit with red flesh.
3)Hylocereus megalanthus (Pitaya amarilla or yellow pitaya, also known as Selenicereus megalanthus) has yellow-skinned fruit with white flesh.