The picturesque landscape of Maharashtra is undergoing a colorful transformation as farmers across the state embrace the cultivation of exotic dragon fruit, originally imported from countries like Thailand and Vietnam. The fruit, known for its light-sweet taste and vibrant pink, yellow, or orange skin, has become a lucrative venture for many farmers, not only due to its economic value but also its numerous health benefits.
With dragon fruit now widely available in wholesale fruit markets and even roadside stalls, the trend has caught the attention of both cultivators and consumers. The fruit is recognized for its richness in fiber and antioxidants, contributing to its popularity among health-conscious individuals.
“I used to purchase dragon fruit at Rs 200-Rs 250 a kg a few years ago; now, the prices have come down to Rs 100 to Rs 120 a kg, depending on the variety,” said Mahima Sharma, a resident of Aundh.
One of the primary reasons behind the surge in dragon fruit farming in Maharashtra is its ability to thrive with minimal water and maintenance requirements. In many drought-prone regions of the state, farmers are producing substantial quantities of this pink-scaled fruit. Anandrao Pawar, a Sangli-based farmer and president of the Maharashtra Dragon Fruit Association, emphasized that the climatic conditions in the state are ideal for dragon fruit cultivation.
Mahesh Asabe, a 27-year-old agricultural engineer running Rukmini Farms in Solapur district, has dedicated a 20-acre farm to cultivating dragon fruits. With a harvesting season from June to November, Asabe yields 100-150 tonnes of dragon fruit, primarily the red/pink-flesh variety. He also experiments with growing yellow dragon fruit on the farm and conducts training sessions for aspiring dragon fruit cultivators.
Farmers point out that the earning potential in dragon fruit farming is substantial. Dr. Pramod Bhagat from Baramati, cultivating jumbo dragon fruits on his 25-acre farm, shared, “The yield per acre is approximately 7 tonnes, and the earning potential is about Rs 3-4 lakh per acre. This is a low-risk, high-return crop.”
Moreover, cultivators are exploring opportunities to supply dragon fruits and dehydrated powder to companies for use in energy drinks, jams, and ice creams, opening new avenues for the versatile fruit.
