Improvement of livelihood, food, and nutrition security through sustainable production of Dragon fruit

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus [Haw.] Britton and Rose) is one of the most nutritious and newly introduced fruit crops among the progressive farming community of India. It is a climbing vine cactus species which is originated in tropical and sub-tropical forest regions of Mexico and Central and South America. Though it belongs to Cactaceae it needs an adequate amount of water unlike other members of this family. The edible part of the dragon fruit is the fruit pulp which constitutes 70-80% of the ripe fruits. It is rich in Vitamin-C, Iron, Calcium, Phosphorus, and several other vitamins and minerals including a high amount of anti-oxidants. It can be processed into a range of industrial food products like juice, sherbets, jam, syrups, ice creams, yogurt, jelly, preserve, candy, and pastries. It is known to prevent colon cancer and diabetes, reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure, control high sugar levels prevent cancer and bleeding. Dragon fruit promotes dental health and neutralizes toxic substances such as heavy metals. It can be propagated easily through cuttings of the mature cladodes or branches. The use of rooting hormones can boost the formation of the root system of the cuttings. Concrete pillars are ideal for the support of the climbing cladodes as the economic life of dragon fruit is almost 20-25 years and a 3-4-year-old vine may weigh around 100 kg. The average market price of the fruit ranges between Rs. 350-400/kg with a very high demand in Indian and international market. The dragon fruit plants come into flowering after 15 months of planting under long day condition and it produces around 5-7 flushes per year depending upon the climate and growing region.