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In 2021, Sunil started dragon fruit gardening in five kattha land by ordering 350 saplings from Bengal at the rate of Rs 75 per plant. This plant grows rapidly in an environment with good light and low humidity, keeping this in mind Sunil prepared his plantation.
Sitamarhi: Sunil, a farmer from Sitamarhi, Bihar, got information about dragon fruit cultivation from social media during the lockdown and after being impressed, he left traditional farming and moved in a new direction. The importance of immunity boosting fruits inspired him. He started 2020 by ordering three saplings online from Karnataka. However the first attempt was unsuccessful. Not giving up, Sunil started dragon fruit gardening in five katta land in 2021 by ordering 350 saplings from Bengal at the rate of Rs 75 per plant. This plant grows rapidly in an environment with good light and low humidity, keeping this in mind Sunil prepared his plantation.
Describing about dragon fruit, Sunil says that this fruit looks like pineapple from outside and pear and kiwi from inside. In terms of nutrition, it is more beneficial than fruits like papaya, banana, orange and mango. Sunil does completely organic farming and pays special attention to maintaining moisture near the plants. In his plantation, the distance from one plant to another has been kept at 5 to 6 feet so that the plants can get adequate sunlight. In 2022, the plants started bearing fruits, which further increased Sunil’s enthusiasm. The dragon fruit tree bears fruits continuously from June to December, providing a long-term source of income to farmers.
Talking about the market, the demand for fruits grown in Sunil’s farm has increased significantly. In 2022 itself, their production was easily sold at the rate of Rs 300 per kg. Generally raw or half broken dragon is available in the market, whereas customers get ripe sweet fruit straight from the tree from Sunil’s garden. A plant bears fruit 8 to 10 times a year and one plant bears 50 to 110 fruits, whose weight ranges from 300 to 800 grams. Sunil is earning Rs 8 to 10 lakh every year from this permanent and sustainable crop.
Farmer Sunil says that the biggest specialty of dragon fruit is that once its nursery is prepared, it keeps giving fruits continuously for 25 years. Just care and regular harvesting is required. They earn good income by plucking fruits two to three times a month. This long lasting crop has not only made Sunil financially strong but has also inspired many farmers of the area. This model of modern fruit production is becoming increasingly popular in Sitamarhi and is emerging as a new hope for the farmers.
