Slow and firm cultivation of attractive, delicious and full of nutrition lotus fruit in Vadodara district

The state government has started Farm Fresh - Kamalam and Fruit Festival in Ahmedabad to promote the cultivation of Dragon fruit (Kamalam) which is very attractive in color and appearance and rich in nutrition. Talking about the new cultivation of this fruit, at present Kamalam orchards have been cultivated in 1200 hectares of land in 25 districts of the state.

The fruit is currently mainly imported which is in great demand in the local markets and there are also vast opportunities for export if its cultivation and production increases. Correspondingly, the state government has for the first time implemented a scheme of planting assistance of ₹ 1.25 lakh up to a maximum of two hectares, to increase the cultivation of dragon fruit through the Horticulture Department.

The cultivation of Kamalam fruit in Vadodara district is slow compared to the districts of Kutch and Saurashtra in the state. But the cultivation of fruit on the vine is expanding. Yogesh Khant, Horticulture Officer, Office of the Deputy Director of Horticulture, said that for the first time in a year, more than 30 farmers of the district have applied for the benefits of the Dragon Fruit Plantation Assistance Scheme. Approximately 15 farmers of the district have got relatively good success.

It is said that as part of the cultivation of this fruit, it is necessary to build cement pillars for planting vines of this species, so it is necessary to spend a good amount at the beginning of this cultivation. The planting assistance scheme will be useful to the farmers in meeting this effort.

Kamalam fruit is a perennial fruit and rich in nutrients, medicinal properties, minerals and vitamins. Doctors recommend its intake for the patients suffering with cancer, diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol due to its health properties.

Harmanbhai from Habipura village in Dabhoi taluka has achieved significant success in cultivating dragon fruit and interested farmers from other districts visit his farm to know and see his cultivation.

He is currently considering a new experiment in this new farming. He says that the temperature in their area rises above 40 degrees in summer, which can cause the vines to wither or burn

To protect the plants from it, he has sprayed water on the plants when the temperature rises above 40 degrees, and has planned to use a fogger or sprinkler system to protect the plants. He is currently planning for the arrangement.

Bharatbhai Govindbhai Rathwa, a native of Kawant in Chhotaudepur district, has grown about 1700 dragon fruit plants in his land and has been producing them for the last two years. This is probably a new initiative in the tribal area of ​​Kawant. He says, the main road from Naswadi to Kwant passes near his farm, so he don't have to go to the market to sell the harvested fruits. Tourists passing from there purchase it from the stalls outside the and he is getting good income.

This fruit has a combination of attractive colors, forms and qualities. It also seems to have the power to improve the economic health of farmers.