Dragon Fruit Farming Guide!

A detail report on growing methods, cost, profits and yield in India.

The low maintenance and high profitability of dragon fruits has attracted the farming community throughout India. This has led to a steep increase in dragon fruit cultivation in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

Growing Conditions

  • Temperature
    Lowest Temp 13 ℃ and Highest Temp : 40 ℃
  • Rainfall Requirement
    50-60 cm rainfall require yearly
  • Soil Requirement
    Sandy loam and Clay loam is appropriate Soil pH of 5.5 to 7 is best for Dragon Fruit cultivation.

Varieties suitable for India

Pink
Jumbo Red
White

Why you Should Start Dragon Fruit Farming in India?

  • High Export Demand
  • Huge demostic demand, Less supply
  • Needs less water and Maintenance
  • Highly nutritious fruit, Good for diabetic patients.
  • Low pest and Disease occurance

Plant Selection : A Cruical step in Dragon Fruit farming image

  • Always select cuttings/plants with well developed shoot and root.
  • Always purchase the saplings from trusted source.
  • Choose variety that performs well in your region.

Land Preperation

  • Plough the land and make sure its free of weeds.
  • Set proper drainage fro rainwater by setting slopes.
  • Maintain adequate amount of organic matter by adding manure

Land Preperation

  • Spacing: Row to Row 11 feet, pole to pole 7 feet (11*7)
  • Plant 7 feet tall cement pole with circular disc every 7 feet (500poles per acre)
  • Total number of plants per Acre: Plant 4 saplings for each pole (2000 saplings per acre)

Best Practices

3 Key Factors

  • For success of dragon fruit farming in Karnataka
  • Avoid stagnation of water in field by giving uniform slope.
  • Proper support structure and good quality planting material.
  • Defined package of practices and Proper marketing channels.

Water Management

It is very crucial in dragon fruit farming, too much water can kill the plants. Always go with drip irrigation system and provide less water during rainy season. Weekly water requirement depends on soil type and region – for more info contact our farming expert – Arjun

Fertilizer & Manure

  • At the time of plantation Cow Dunk Fertilizer or Vermicompost - 700gm per plant
  • NPK Granular or DAP - 30gm per pole
  • 95% Humic Acid- 2gm per plant, Micro Nutrient Granular - 2gm per plant

Pest & Disease

  • Dragon fruit is hardy and rarely gets affected from pest diseases since it’s a hardy crop.
  • Common pests – Mealybugs, Aphids, Ants, Beetles, Mites and Thrips
  • Diseases – Fungal diseases, Bipolaris cactivora, Cactus virus X and Stem soft rot

Harvesting

  • Dragon fruit normally start yielding after 12 months after plantation.
  • It fruits in 4 to 5 waves during one season.
  • Each Pole fruits approx. 40 to 100 fruits per wave.
  • One pole normally yields approx. 15 to 20 kg of fruits. (after 3rd year)
  • Size of fruit depends on pollination, water at right stage and package of practices

Yield

  • 1st year – 500kg – 1000kg / year
  • 2nd year – 2000kg – 4000kg / year
  • 3rd Year – 5000kg – 8000kg / year
  • From 5th year 8000kg -10000kg/ year

Packaging & Storing

  • Packing in plastic crates. It is reusable, easy to handle and clean.
  • Ambient temp-3 to 4 days, 14 degree-1 to 2 weeks, 5 degree-18 Days.

Investments Returns

Investment : 4.25 lakhs/Acre

Parameters
Initial land levelling,Fym,Bed preparation, Planting
Cement Pole rate
Cutting/Plant Cost
(2000*50)
Cement Cap
(200*500 Poles)
Labour for Cement pole errection
Total Cost / Acre

50000

75000

100000

100000

50000

Yield: 8 to 15 Tones

Years
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
4th Year
5th Year Onwards
Yield/year
500kg to 1000kg / year
2000kg to 4000kg / year
5000kg to 8000kg / year
8000kg to 12000kg / year
8000kg to 15000kg / year

Note : Yield may vary based on your maintenance, variety and other factors.

Wholesale Price for Dragonfruit: 150-200 per Kg

Years
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
4th Year
5th Year Onwards
Gross Revenue /acre/year
1,50,000
6,00,000
10,00,000
12,00,000
15,00,000

Average Maintenace cost per acre/per year 2,00,000 to 4,00,000!

Profit Analysis

Years
2nd Year
3rd Year
4th Year
5th Year
Profits
2 to 3 Lakhs
6 to 7 Lakhs
7 to 8 Lakhs
10 to 12 Lakhs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why cutting / plant selection is important ?

Always go with contract pricing and talk to traders before growing dragonfruit.
150 – 200 per KG contract price is a good deal.

Is dragon fruit farming profitable ?

Always go with contract pricing and talk to traders before growing dragonfruit.
150 – 200 per KG contract price is a good deal.

Does dragon fruit require lot of maintenance ?

Always go with contract pricing and talk to traders before growing dragonfruit.
150 – 200 per KG contract price is a good deal.

Is there market demand for dragon fruit ?

Yes, since the domestic consumption is high and supply is lean there is huge demand for dragon fruit.

Can i export Dragon fruit ?

Yes, you can export dragon fruit from India

Where to buy dragon fruit saplings ?

You can buy high quality dragon fruit sapling from Hasiru Agro – See how we produce India’s top quality plants.

What are the common pests in Dragon fruit ?

Common pests – Mealybugs, Aphids, Ants, Beetles, Mites and Thrips

How long does dragon fruit take to grow ?

Dragon fruit normally start yielding after 12 months after plantation. It fruits in 4 to 5 waves during one season.

What about marketing ? Is there market fluctuautions ?

Always go with contract pricing and talk to traders before growing dragonfruit.
150 – 200 per KG contract price is a good deal.

Dragonfruit
Management
Cost & Profit
Questions