How to Start Dragon Fruit Farming? A Complete Beginner's Guide
How to Start Dragon Fruit Farming? A Complete Beginner's Guide
Blog Article
Dargon fruit is popular due to its attractive colour and unique taste. However, its demand in the local market is high, which makes farming profitable. Moreover, its adaptability to varied climatic conditions and low maintenance make it suitable for both small and large farmers.
In this blog, we are going to discuss the key steps to the successful cultivation of dragon fruit. Additionally, the price involved and how much return you can gain per acre are also important.
What is Dragon Fruit?
The dragon fruit grows on climbing cactus plants, and people commonly refer to it as pitaya. The pink or yellow-skinned fruit contains white or red flesh together with tiny black seeds. Moreover, the nutritional value of this fruit includes vitamin C alongside antioxidants and fiber, which attracts health-conscious individuals. The demand for dragon fruit remains strong throughout cities and export markets due to its unique appearance combined with its nutrient content.
7 Essential Guidelines for Planting Dragon Fruit
In this section, we are going to discuss some important points that you should remember when planning to plant dragon fruit.
How to Prepare the Land
To prepare the land, you start by removing all the weeds while leveling the field. Drainage needs appropriate attention in this process. Dragon fruit plants grow as climbers that require support systems for proper development. However, the majority of farmers use cement and concrete poles equipped with a circular ring structure to hold the plants.
Each pole can hold 3–4 cuttings. Two poles planted 2 meters apart are necessary for suitable growth. Soil quality improvement can be achieved through a pre-planting combined application of organic manure or compost.
Planting the Cuttings
Dragon fruit cultivation using cuttings is preferable since they produce fruit sooner and develop more rapidly than seeds. A desirable size for each cutting ranges from 30 to 50 cm in length. Bury the cutting at the ground where the base of the pole meets with the soil until it sinks 5 cm deep. Afterward, light pressure is created on the surrounding soil to maintain its firmness. The development of new roots and shoots from the cutting will begin after a few weeks.
Watering and Irrigation
Dragon fruit plants require minimal water. However, excessive watering can lead to root rot, which severely damages the plants. Drip irrigation is the most suitable method for dragon fruit cultivation. Through drip irrigation systems, the roots receive a direct water supply, significantly reducing overall water consumption.
During the dry summer periods, it is advisable to water your plants once or twice a week. On the other hand, you should refrain from watering the plants during the rainy season and let natural rainfall take care of their needs.
Fertilisers and Nutrition
Plant growth in the first stages requires organic inputs, including cow dung, compost, and vermicompost. As the plants begin to mature, small additions of urea or NPK fertilisers become beneficial. However, you should always maintain correct fertiliser application amounts and schedules. Too much fertiliser will cause root burns, which in turn damages the plant's fruit quality.
Harvesting and Storage
Fruit harvesting occurs through manual hands to prevent any type of physical injury. Producers must collect fruits during morning hours or in the evening period. After the harvest, you should clean dragon fruits and place the fruits into soft containers made of trays or boxes.
Dragon fruit maintains good freshness for 10 days under normal room conditions. Placing the fruits in a cold environment helps them survive longer. The most profitable approach for market sales involves supplying whole and mature dragon fruits in the proper shape.
Farm Equipment for Dragon Fruit Farming
The farming process for dragon fruit becomes simpler and faster through the use of contemporary tractors and advanced agricultural implements. A tractor model such as the Mahindra Arjun 605 provides all the necessary tools to prepare farmland while performing tasks after harvest collection and providing transportation capabilities. Farmers evaluate Mahindra Arjun 605 price because they need to find a tractor that fits their agricultural requirements and financial capabilities.
The performance of 4wd tractors delivers considerable assistance for conducting heavy tasks throughout dragon fruit orchards, which have irregular terrain conditions. The Mahindra Yuvo Tech Plus 575 4WD has outstanding grip features and improved performance levels. Farmers can access the Mahindra Yuvo Tech Plus 575 4wd price information online when they make their purchase decisions.
Conclusion
Dragon fruit farming presents profitable opportunities for sustainable agricultural development across agricultural regions. The crop system needs low amounts of water while providing excellent financial return and demanding minimal post-setup upkeep. However, A small farmer can convert this fruit into a large-scale profitable product through correct farming procedures.
If you're looking for a new crop to grow, dragon fruit might be the right choice for you. Take the first step, and you will find your farm full of sweet, colorful, and profitable fruits in no time. Report this page