Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: Vasudev Pai more commonly known in Canacona taluka as Ajit Pai is one farmer who doesn’t rest on his laurels, after quitting a well paid job he ventured into agriculture winning many awards at the state level for his innovative ways he developed which yielded him name, fame, more income and confidence to try different crops which no one dared to till now.
After trying many crops, three years ago Pai started his experiment with dragon fruit farming, overwhelmingly satisfied with the yield, he is promoting and motivating other farmers in the taluka to go for this crop which has better prospects for good income generation he says.
Speaking to Goemkarponn he said that he got fascinated with the dragon fruit cultivation and reached all the way from Poinguinim where he grows different types of crops to Ahmednagar to come back with 2000 plants of the dragon fruit saplings.
Pai says that his research paid off as the plant which belongs to cactus family got adopted to the Goan climate as these plants need humid climate.
These plants need a sturdy support and can be grown on barren land or waste land were soil is not fertile.
As it belongs to cacti family the plant requires very less water and can grow in any nature of soil.
Pai says that the Dragon fruit production in India started as a hobby in 1990s and was restricted to home gardens.
And now since the market for this fruit is unlimited in the country lot of farmers have willingly invested money and are reaping the benefits interms of high returns over their investments which is comparatively on the higher side compared to other horticultural crops he said.
“During my research both online and with officials of Goa Agricultural Department, I came across Dragon fruit being grown by the farmers in India and its rich properties and higher returns”.
“I am a full time agriculturist and venturing into unconquered and unchartered territory is my forte, so there was no second thought or hesitation to start this crop” Pai informed.
“We procured 2000 saplings from Ahemadnager and planted them in my property at Khawat in Poiguinim, I was little sceptical about its growth but the results are overwhelming” Pai says with exuberance on his face.
Kirtiraj Naikgaonkar, ZAO of Canacona, speaking to Goemkarponn said that the fruit can grow in the extremes of temperatures and poorest of soils, but it is best suited for tropical climate.
“The dragon fruit is a cactus species that doesn’t require much water and specific soil quality, but pH of the soil should be in the range of 5.5-6.5 (slightly acidic). It also grows well in the desert-like conditions.
“The gestation period is around 16-18 months. The fruit has important antioxidants like flavonoids, phenolic acid, and betacyanin and is very delicious. Moreover, the fruit has high fibre and promotes the growth of healthy gut microflora. The branches of the trees are cut and used as saplings for further growth. It doesn’t need a regular water supply except during severe summers. The food is harvested from May to October. It’s a high-value crop with a low mortality rate,” Naikgaonkar said.
Pai, however, acknowledges that there is an initial cost involved in cultivating the plant as it is a climber and needs the support of a pole. “A cement pole has to be erected that supports the plant. Four plants can be supported on a single cement pole that costs around Rs. 200”. “It is better
to start with a small patch of land and expand once the returns start coming,” suggested Pai.
