Paraná occupies the fourth position in the ranking of the states that produce the most pitaya – an exotic and tropical fruit that has appeared more frequently in supermarkets in Paraná. In some regions it is known as dragon fruit.
Jilo Yamazaki, from Londrina, in the north, is one of the farmers who has invested in this production in the state. From Monday to Friday he works in the field of electrical engineering, and on weekends he dedicates himself to creating the fruit. According to Yamazaki, he currently has 800 pitaya trees, with approximately 30 different varieties. The fruits usually weigh 700 grams, on average.
According to the Institute of Rural Development of Paraná (IDR-PR), with adequate spacing, it is possible to produce thirty tons per hectare in an orchard. The institute assesses that pitaya is becoming an income option for small producers.
Source: abrafrutas.org