This Thiruvananthapuram Village Is Hub Of Dragon Fruit Cultivation In India

Dragon fruits are included on the list of superfoods because of their high nutritional and antioxidant content. In India, the cultivation of the fruit is fast picking up and farmers of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and other areas have taken up its cultivation. This fruit, which is different and unique with its name, shape, colour and taste, has become a curiosity for the Malayalis. Pangode village in Thiruvananthapuram has become a dragon fruit hub in Kerala.

Dragon fruit cultivation is concentrated in Pangod, Bharathanoor and Thannichal. The farmers started dragon fruit cultivation by cutting down the lands which were used for rubber plantations. Dragon fruit, which was found only in the dry regions of Mexico, is deemed to be suitable for Kerala’s climate. Hence, the cultivation started in India on an experimental basis.

Vijayan Pillai and Ratnakaran Pillai were reportedly the first to start cultivating dragon fruit on an industrial basis. After the success of dragon fruit cultivation in Thannichal, Kerala, the farmers decided to opt for this farming. Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal also visited this farm earlier.

After flowering, the dragon fruit begins to bear fruit within a month. Dragon fruit does not spoil for 15 days. The main feature of dragon fruit is that it can grow well in less fertile soils with good drainage and tropical climates like Kerala are very suitable.

Dragon fruit or pitaya is the common name for the fruits of a group of plants belonging to the genus Cacti. They are found in many colours like red dragon fruit and white dragon fruit. It is also rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and iron. So consuming dragon fruit in moderation is very good for health.

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