Record Details

DRAGON FRUIT COUNTRY REPORT FROM INDIA

KRISHI: Publication and Data Inventory Repository

View Archive Info
 
 
Field Value
 
Title DRAGON FRUIT COUNTRY REPORT FROM INDIA
Not Available
 
Creator G. Karunakaran
M. Arivalagan
S. Sriram
 
Subject Red Pitaya; Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.); Value addition and niche markets
 
Description Not Available
Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), a herbaceous perennial climbing cactus, widely known as Red Pitaya,
has recently drawn much attention among the Indian growers, not only because of its attractive red or
pink color and economic value as fruit, but also valued for its high antioxidant potential, vitamins and
minerals content. Being a native of Southern Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica, dragon fruit was
introduced in India during the late `90s and still the area under its cultivation is gradually increasing.
Farmers in the Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Orissa, West
Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands have already taken up its cultivation, and the
estimated total area under Dragon fruit cultivation in these regions may be less than 400 ha. Majority of
the dragon fruits presently available in Indian markets are imported from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia
and Sri Lanka. Being a cactus family and requires long day for flowering, dragon fruit cultivation is
well suited in the agro-climatic regions of Southern, Western and North Eastern India that are dry and
frost-free. Due to high demand both in domestic and international markets, dragon fruit production
could be an economical avocation to both backyard growers as well as entrepreneurs of medium and
large scale plantations. Cultivation of dragon fruit already started in different parts of India with many
success stories of farmer from different regions. Many nursery men started propagation for raising
planting material of dragon fruit. One of the widely grown cultivars and most commonly available
dragon fruit is the red color epicarp with white and pink pulped sub-sweet juicy pulp matrix. It is a fast
return perennial fruit crop with economic production in the first year after planting, and full production
within three to five years. It was also noted to initially produce in its first years on wards provided
desirable cultural management practices are applied. Although the initial investment is relatively high,
profit is substantial within 4-5 years. The red flesh species i.e H. costaricensis are additionally rich in
betalains, meeting the increasing trade interest for antioxidant products and natural food colorant.
Fruits are easy to keep fresh under room condition. The crop is hardy and can survive in any type of
climatic condition favorable for flowering and fruiting and soil condition provided with good drainage.
Not Available
 
Date 2019-10-22T08:05:39Z
2019-10-22T08:05:39Z
2019-09-09
 
Type Proceedings
 
Identifier Not Available
Not Available
http://krishi.icar.gov.in/jspui/handle/123456789/23809
 
Language English
 
Relation Not Available;
 
Publisher “Dragon Fruit Network: Marketing and the Whole Value Chain” and Steering Committee Meeting