Jharkhand will soon start cultivation of dragon fruit with the twin objectives of beating malnutrition among the rural populace and generate income for farmers.

The initiative is being spearheaded by Jharkhand Tribal Development Society (JTDS) which has already started distributing saplings of this precious fruit, loaded with vitamin A and other healthy nutrients, among impoverished farmers of Ranchi and Khunti as a pilot project.

“Around six farmers in Ranchi and Khunti have started cultivation of dragon fruit with technical assistance from us. We have decided to make these farmers master trainers and encourage other villagers to take up cultivation of this fruit,” said Ashish Anand, assistant director at JTDS.

Anand said that around 12 per cent land across Jharkhand was suitable for cultivation of dragon fruit, a kind of cactus plant which requires minimal watering and is sold at a high price across India because of its health benefits. “Our idea was to encourage cultivation of dragon fruit and help tribal women and children beat malnutrition. Women in rural Jharkhand suffer from various ailments due to poor nutrition. Adding this fruit to their diet can help them lead a healthy life,” Anand added.

The price of dragon fruit varies from Rs.80 per piece to Rs.150 per piece in the market. Farmers may make handsome profits even if they start supplying this fruit to the local markets in Jharkhand.

Agriculturists claim that dragon fruit is a great source of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and iron Jharkhand Tribal Development Society

JTDS has been registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, primarily to implement tribal development projects of the state and Union governments, and multilateral organizations.

Agriculturists claim that dragon fruit is a great source of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and iron. It is also used for treatment of people suffering from dengue and malaria in some parts of the country. Residents of rural Jharkhand are prone to vector borne diseases, and the fruit can help in their treatment as well, officials from JTDS said.

Besides the health benefits of the fruit, JTDS is also eyeing financial gains for farmers through its cultivation. Anand said that the land on which dragon fruit would grow in Jharkhand is mostly left unused by farmers as paddy cannot grow on such rocky terrain. “Basically, we will use unutilized land for farming of this fruit, and try and achieve the target of doubling the income of farmers,” he said.

Once the cultivation gains pace across Ranchi and Khunti, JTDS plans to rope in more farmers from other districts of Jharkhand for cultivation of dragon fruits, JTDS officials said. The state may even start supplying dragon fruits to other parts of India and abroad if the fruits are of superior quality, they added.