Capabilities are born of possibilities and possibilities are born of determination. The determination of the district administration and farmers of Khunti to find new avenues/possibilities to multiply the incomes of the farmers, is doing miracles.

Khunti district, situated at distance of roughly 40 km from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand is predominantly tribal and has mostly undulating rocky terrain. The nature’s bounties and endowments could be seen in innumerable waterfalls, lush green fields, imposing plateaus and hills.

However, this very nature of terrain has proved to be a bottleneck as paddy cannot be grown on the rocky terrain. The district administration and the farmers have always endeavored to find ways and means to convert these unproductive lands into income-generating fields.

The preparations The Telegraph Picture

The cultivation of dragon fruit began in the Khunti district by the initiative of a farmer named Juran Munda in the Hethgoa village of Murhu Block last year. Soon the saplings grew and fruits borne out of it earned him handsome money.

The importance of the dragon fruit as a source of many vitamins, protection against many diseases, provider of nutrients and a good income earner was soon realized and on the directions of the Chief Minister, the district administration in association with the farmers, agriculture department and other stakeholders chalked out plans to promote the cultivation of dragon fruit in the district on a considerable scale.

The field The Telegraph Picture

Shashi Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner, Khunti and the spearhead of this campaign said ‘considering its immense health benefits and its potential as a huge income earner, we are persuading farmers to adopt cultivation of dragon fruit and are providing all feasible technical and financial assistance.’

Experts say that certain areas of Jharkhand are suitable for cultivation of dragon fruit. It is a kind of cactus plant which requires minimal watering and is sold at a high price across India because of its health benefits. Though the initial investment is high but once the saplings start bearing fruits, it has a huge demand in the market and a single piece fetches between Rs 70 and Rs 80.