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Dragon Fruit Cultivation in Pakistan Holds Potential for Economic Transformation

Dragon fruit cultivation could prove to be a game-changer for Pakistan’s national economy, especially in coastal areas such as Karachi and Thatta. Progressive farmers have successfully harvested dragon fruits in Sindh and believe that exporting this unique fruit on a large scale could lead to significant economic growth.

Scope of Dragon Fruit Cultivation

In an interview with The Express Tribune, Captain Rizwan Rehman, the owner of Delicious Dragon Fruit Farm and Nursery Karachi, shared his success story. He revealed that he is the first commercial dragon fruit farmer in Sindh and the third in Pakistan. He has already cultivated 7,000 plants on one acre of land and plans to expand to 18,000 plants on three acres next year. Rizwan also provides consultancy and services to other farmers, aiming to encourage more people to venture into dragon fruit cultivation.

Dragon fruits have three cycles of fruiting per year in Pakistan, starting from June to November. The average yield per plant in the third year is around 7kg. With high-density farming techniques, farmers can generate significant revenue, up to Rs2 billion annually from one acre by growing 8,000 plants.

Export Potential and Government Support

Rizwan highlighted that although there is currently no export of dragon fruits from Pakistan due to high demand in the local market, there is great potential for export in the future. He believes that the export industry could have a significant impact on the national economy, considering the high demand and rates for dragon fruits. However, unlike India, the Pakistani government does not provide any support or subsidies for the dragon fruit industry.

Wide Variety and Promising Returns

Rizwan’s farm and nursery in Gadap, Karachi, boasts 80 varieties of dragon fruits, sourced from various countries. Muhammad Rehan, a small farmer from Tando Allahyar, successfully cultivated 11 varieties of dragon fruits and harvested good-quality fruits weighing 320 to 330 grams. He plans to expand his dragon fruit cultivation on a commercial level and has been in contact with farmers from other regions, such as Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, and Matiari, due to the promising returns.

Bright Future for Dragon Farming

Researchers and agricultural experts foresee a bright future for dragon fruit farming in the coastal belt of Karachi and Thatta. The climate conditions in these areas, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 40 degrees Celsius, are ideal for dragon fruit cultivation. The potential for horticulture exports is significant, as dragon fruits are in high demand globally.

Vietnam, the largest exporter of dragon fruit, earns $1.1 billion annually from its exports. In Pakistan, a Chinese couple and a local farmer named Ameen have already established commercial dragon fruit farms in Lahore and Kasur. Another farmer, Sohail Ahmed Khan, is expanding his dragon fruit farm commercially in Sargodha and is expected to become a prominent player in the local farming industry.

Overall, the cultivation of dragon fruits in Pakistan holds immense potential for economic transformation. It not only offers profitable returns for farmers but also contributes to horticulture exports and the overall growth of the national economy.

Source: The Express Tribune