Kangra, Himachal Pradesh: Dragon fruit cultivation is emerging as a promising high-value farming option in Kangra district, with progressive farmer Jeevan Singh Rana and his son Ashish Singh Rana successfully expanding cultivation through natural farming practices.
The Department of Horticulture, Kangra, has been encouraging farmers to adopt high-value fruit crops and explore value-addition opportunities to reduce post-harvest losses and improve farm income.
The father-son duo initially started with around 500 dragon fruit plants and have now expanded their cultivation to nearly 5,000 plants spread across 35 kanal of farmland.
Ashish Singh Rana was recently honoured with the Utkrisht Kisan Samman for his success in natural farming of dragon fruit during the 41st Foundation Day celebrations of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni.
During the expansion of the project, the farmers received technical guidance from Dr Kamal Sheel Negi, Joint Director of Horticulture, Kangra. With support from the department, they also established a registered dragon fruit nursery in 2023 under Licence No. GLRFN01542-N.
Dr Negi said several farmers in Fatehpur, Nurpur, Dehra, Indora and Sulah development blocks, as well as neighbouring Una district, have also started establishing dragon fruit orchards and nurseries.
He added that farmers can avail a 50% subsidy for the cultivation of cost-intensive fruit crops, including dragon fruit, avocado, blueberry, kiwi and strawberry, under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
First Dragon Fruit Jam Prepared at Nagrota Bagwan FCU
In a significant step towards value addition, the Department of Horticulture has prepared dragon fruit jam at the Fruit Canning Unit (FCU), Nagrota Bagwan.
Jeevan Singh Rana approached the department after facing difficulties in marketing undersized and unsold dragon fruits. He was advised to use the processing facilities available at the FCU for converting surplus produce into value-added products.
With technical guidance from Dr Suresh Kumar Negi, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture), FCU Nagrota Bagwan, around 23 kg of dragon fruit jam was prepared from naturally grown dragon fruits.
According to the Department of Horticulture, this is the first time dragon fruit jam has been prepared at the FCU, Nagrota Bagwan, marking an important milestone in promoting processing and value addition of the emerging high-value crop in Himachal Pradesh.
The department provides processing facilities to farmers under Community Canning Services at nominal service charges ranging from approximately ₹50 to ₹65 per kg, depending on the product and processing requirements.
Officials said such facilities could help farmers utilise undersized, surplus and difficult-to-market fruits instead of allowing them to go to waste.
The Department of Horticulture said value addition and processing can help reduce post-harvest losses, diversify farm income, create employment opportunities and promote the cultivation of high-value crops across Himachal Pradesh.
Farmers seeking technical guidance or assistance under horticulture schemes can contact their respective Subject Matter Specialists, Horticulture Development Officers or Horticulture Extension Officers.
