Farmers of Anantapur district have a tendency to try new fruit culture successfully. After figs and cherries, some farmers of the district embarked on the dragon fruit culture. Currently, the crop is cultivated on 200 hectares.
One growers stated that the fruit -being of foreign origin- is still not very popular among the general public. It can be seen as a fruit of affluent people. The fruit is selling at Rs 100 a kilogram. Anantapur district horticulture assistant director Chandra Sekhar stated that the fruit presently is only a rich man's fruit. Unless the price comes down to at least Rs 50 per kg or less it will not have market demand.
According to Chandra Sekhar, many farmers in Chittoor, Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts are attracted by its beauty and they are going crazy for its cultivation. "The state government too is extending subsidies and incentives for those who are going for the dragon fruit culture. It is being cultivated on 200 hectares or so in the combined Anantapur district. Already other district farmers are facing marketing problems and only corporate malls are purchasing them."
Source: thehansindia.com