Several farmers in the Sangli district (western Maharashtra) have switched from the cultivation of traditional crops like sugarcane, grapes, soybean and other vegetables to dragon fruit. Sangli is among the drought-prone regions in Maharashtra but despite this, a large area in the district is under sugarcane cultivation, which is quite a water-guzzler.
According to the Union Commerce Ministry, “Production of ‘dragon fruit’ commenced in India in early 1990s and it was grown as home gardens. Due to high export value, the exotic ‘dragon fruit’ has become increasingly popular in recent years in the country and it has been taken up for cultivation by farmers in different states.”
About 10-15 farmers in Sangli’s Tadsar and Wangi villages have switched to dragon fruit farming, say local farmers. One farmer, who has already been growing dragon fruit for the past six years in Tadsar, said that the reason why only a handful farmers have chosen dragon fruit over traditional crops could be that the initial investment is quite high.
Another farmer said: “More and more farmers are now shifting to the cultivation of dragon fruit. I already planted the fruit in two acres. I am now thinking of cutting down my sugarcane field by another acre and growing dragon fruit there as well.”
The area is traditionally drought-prone but since dragon fruit requires less water its cultivation is hassle-free.
Source: theprint.in
