SME Times News Bureau | 26 Jun, 2021
In a major boost to export of exotic fruit, a
consignment of fibre and mineral rich ‘Dragon Fruit’, also referred as Kamalam,
has been exported to Dubai.
A consignment of Dragon Fruit for exports was
sourced from the farmers of Tadasar village, Sangli district, Maharashtra and
it was processed and packed at APEDA recognized exporter – M/s Kay Bee.
Scientifically referred to as Hylocereusundatus,
the dragon fruit is grown in countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, the
Philippines, the USA and Vietnam.
Dragon fruit production commenced in India in
early 1990s and was grown as home gardens. Dragon Fruit has become increasingly
popular in recent years in the country as it has been taken up for cultivation
by farmers across various states.
At present, dragon fruit is grown mostly in
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal,
Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The cultivation requires less water and can be
grown in various kinds of soils. There are three main varieties of dragon
fruit: white flesh with pink skin, red flesh with pink skin, and white flesh
with yellow skin.
Prime Minister NarendraModi in ‘Mann Ki Baat’
programme in July 2020 on All India Radio had mentioned about the dragon fruit
farming in the arid Kutch region of Gujarat.
He had congratulated the farmers of Kutch for the
cultivation of fruit for ensuring India’s self-sufficiency in the production.
The fruit contains fiber, vitamins, minerals, and
antioxidants. It can help in repairing the cell damage caused by oxidative
stress and reduce inflammation, and also improving the digestive system. Since
the fruit has spikes and petals resembling lotus, it is also referred as
‘Kamalam’.