Farmers in Prayagraj Turn to Dragon Fruit farming as Water Scarcity Hits Traditional Crops

Farmers in Prayagraj are shifting from traditional crops to dragon fruit farming. They say low rainfall and weak monsoons have made old farming methods less reliable. Dragon fruit offers a way out. It needs less water and brings in better income.

Why Farmers Are Making the Switch

Chhote Lal Gautam, a farmer in Sarangapur village, now grows dragon fruit on two acres of land. He said his earnings dropped year after year due to poor rainfall and limited irrigation. “I couldn’t make a profit from my old crops. So I switched to dragon fruit. It needs less water, and my income has gone up,” he said.

Government Support for Dragon Fruit Farming

The state government is encouraging this shift. It has selected 18 districts, including Prayagraj, Kaushambi, and Pratapgarh, for focused support under the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening Project (UP-AGREES). The goal is to help farmers move toward crops that demand fewer resources and offer better returns.

Rising Interest Across the Region

Officials say dragon fruit farming is gaining ground in the region. Krishna Mohan Chaudhary, Deputy Director (Horticulture), said 16 farmers in Prayagraj and Kaushambi have already taken up dragon fruit cultivation. “Prayagraj division has the highest number of farmers growing this fruit,” he said.

The First to Try It

The shift began with a young farmer named Ravindra Pandey. In 2016, he started dragon fruit farming in Kaushambi district. Today, he also runs nurseries that supply plants to other districts in Uttar Pradesh. Pandey said this side business has added to his income and made dragon fruit more accessible to other farmers.

What Makes Dragon Fruit Popular

Dragon fruit is a tropical crop. It came to India from Mexico and the US. Some call it Pitaya, while others use the name Kamalam. It has a bright magenta skin and soft, white or red pulp with small black seeds. The fruit is mildly sweet and crunchy. Many people now call it a superfood. Studies show it may help prevent diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.

Farmers say they are drawn to dragon fruit not just for its health benefits but also for the profits. Traditional crops like wheat or paddy require much more water and labor. Dragon fruit can survive in harsh conditions and starts giving fruit within a couple of years.

Financial Help Makes It Easier

The government is offering financial help to support the change. Under the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission, farmers receive a 40% subsidy. They also get a grant of Rs 30,000 per hectare. Chhote Lal Gautam said he got Rs 2.78 lakh per hectare in financial support. He used the money to set up fencing, buy saplings, and install a drip irrigation system. “The help came at the right time. It made the shift easier,” he said.

Farmers also report that once the plants mature, they produce fruit for several years with limited care. The market for dragon fruit is growing across cities, and farmers often sell directly to local traders or retail outlets. This cuts out middlemen and increases their profit.

How to Grow Dragon Fruit

Farmers start by planting cuttings or saplings in well-drained soil. Each plant needs support, so growers use concrete or wooden poles with a circular frame on top. The plant climbs and spreads on these frames.

Spacing between plants matters. Farmers usually keep about two meters between rows and one meter between plants. This allows airflow and easy movement.

Drip irrigation works best. It saves water and keeps the roots healthy. Farmers also add organic compost and use mulch to retain soil moisture.

The plant flowers in summer and bears fruit after 30 to 35 days. Harvesting usually happens twice or thrice a year. With good care, a plant can give fruit for 15 to 20 years.

A Growing Future

Officials believe more farmers will join in the coming years. The state is working to spread awareness, provide training, and build a supply chain for the fruit. With more support, the region could become a key hub for dragon fruit farming in north India.

For farmers like Gautam and Pandey, the switch has already paid off. They see dragon fruit not as a trend, but as a way to stay in farming when traditional crops no longer work. “We have to change with the times,” said Gautam. “This crop gave us a way to survive.”