Harnessing the potential of dragon fruit farming for economic development

By Onome Amuge

Dragon fruit, also known as pitahaya or strawberry pear, is a tropical fruit and  is one of  the most expensive fruits in the  world due to its vibrant  skin, sweet seed-speckled pulp,and unique health benefits. This is underpinned by a current global  market trend which has seen an ever-increasing demand for new, healthy exotic fruits.

The fruit belongs to the family of cactus and  is  drought tolerant. It is classified into three varieties which include the red colour fruit with white colour flesh; red colour fruit with red flesh; and the yellow colour fruit with white flesh.

Though the dragon  fruit is relatively new in the Nigerian market, it has become increasingly popular in recent years globally , with a value chain that has grown significantly into  the production of  processed products include energy and fruit bars, ice cream, jelly, marmalade and preserves, juice, pastries, pulp, and yogurt. The juice of the red varieties can also be used as a natural food colorant and dye, and, when unopened, the flower bud can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. It is also planted as ornamental plants for environmental purposes by some.

Renowned as  a super fruit for its health benefits, high nutritional value and other nutraceutical benefits,  the dragon fruit is high in nutrition, low in calories but packed with essential vitamins and minerals.  It is a good source of iron, magnesium, vitamin B, phosphorus, protein, and calcium.  It also contain the antioxidants vitamin C, beta-carotene, lycopene and beta-lain with studies linking diets high in antioxidants to a reduced risk of chronic disease. It is loaded with fiber, making it an excellent choice for meeting the human daily fiber needs to stay healthy.

Online global agriculture platform,Wikifarmer, noted that Vietnam is the largest dragon fruit exporter in the world, accounting for the highest share in Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Thailand and Israel are ranked the second and third largest suppliers in the European market, while China is the largest consumer in the world.

As of 2021, the export value of the exotic fruit stood  at $4.35 billion,  and the market is projected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9 per cent between 2022-2027.

The demand for dragon fruit in the world is currently growing at about four per cent per year, and this trend is forecasted to continue. According to the Market World Research for the trends and forecast projection of the dragon fruit in the next few years, the demand for the commodity is expected  to further increase in the major markets like China, Thailand, and Indonesia and enter new markets like India, New Zealand, and Australia.

Ayokunle Ore, chief farmer, Blooming Gardens,Epe, Lagos, in his observation of some of the dragon plants grown in the South West region of Nigeria, noted that dragon fruit farming is a profitable means of enterprise and a promising means of raising the income of local producers.

Ore also observed that it also has a greater potential to adapt to the Nigerian climate due to its drought-resistant nature and its ability to thrive where there is less rainfall. Therefore, research organisations and entrepreneurs have been encouraged to engage in dragon fruit value chain research and development to realize its enormous economic potential and health benefits for all.

The agriculture expert pointed out that the fruit can be planted in the garden and in the field for commercial purposes.

“Dragon plant starts bearing fruits after one year of planting. And after one month of flowering the fruits are ready for harvest. An acre will yield five to six tonnes averagely,” he said.

He also noted that apart from the domestic market, there is a great potential for exports of this new fruit to the traditional market destinations like the European Union and the U.S.

This, he explained, is because dragon fruit consumption has become more and more popular in the world market in the last few years. He also stressed that the demand has continuously increased year by year, making it a point of necessity for Nigeria to exploit and expand the acreage of growing the fruit, especially for economic benefits.

Eno Johnson, an entrepreneur and publisher of Eni Best agro and business blog,the fruit  flowers in April, its developing stage is July-August, while  harvesting of fruit is in December.

Johnson,  in a publication titled “Growing Guide On Dragon Fruit Farming In Nigeria”, stated that, “The blooms of dragon fruit are out standing, they are one of the largest flowers you can ever think of in the world. Their uniqueness is drawn from the fact that the blooms open only in a night and then the scent that comes out of it is so natural and fruity.

No matter the kind of dragon fruit variety you are growing the fruit will remain green until it ripens.”

The fruit farming guide  noted that the growing season for dragon fruit is the dry season, after the rains have ended.  It also emphasised that dragon fruit plant will continue to produce fruit for 20 to 30 years, reflecting its longevity.

Regarding soil requirement, the blog noted that dragon fruit farming is best done in a well draining soil, which can either be sandy-loam or sandy soil.

“It is grown on a slightly acidic soil with PH of 5.5-7.0. The soil should be rich in organic matter or has the nutrients requirement for optimum growth,” it added.

The publication, however, noted that production of dragon fruits also has its challenges such as the invasion of common pests such as  meat ants, ginger ants, mites, aphids, thrips,mealy bugs and birds that causes serious damage to plants and fruit.  It noted further that production can also be hindered by sunburn, a disease that causes a soft watery rot, and cactus virus x’ Bipolaris cacti orca, another disease that damages the crop.

To ensure good production, farmers were advised to use nets to prevent bird damage to fruit and pesticides, observe proper management, and plant healthy seedlings.