Latest news with #MissionforIntegratedDevelopmentofHorticulture
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Blossoming hub of dragon fruit cultivation: Mirzapur leads UP's 260-hectare expansion; govt plans support centre
Dragon fruit cultivation is gaining traction in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Mirzapur, due to its profitability and health benefits LUCKNOW: The cultivation of dragon fruit or 'Kamalam', an exotic fruit originally from Central America and Mexico which is emerging as a super crop worldwide given its health and medicinal benefits, is emerging as a profitable venture in Uttar Pradesh. Dragon fruit is tolerant to abiotic stresses, pests, and diseases. It has a low requirement for water and nutrients, gives multiple harvests in a year, sustains high yield up to 20 years, and has high nutraceutical and functional properties, being rich in antioxidants and fibers. Though it is highly perishable, having a shelf life of 5-7 days at ambient Indian conditions, it can be processed into various value-added products. Dragon Fruit In India& Uttar Pradesh Though dragon fruit was introduced in India in the late 1990s and between 2005 and 2017 the area under its cultivation increased from 4 to 400 hectares in different states, it wasn't until 2024 that Uttar Pradesh embraced this exotic fruit on a commercial scale, with Mirzapur emerging as a key player. According to the eye-estimated data (based on interaction with farmers and ocular estimates) of the state horticulture department, dragon fruit is commercially grown over 260 hectares in UP, and the average yield per hectare was nine metric tonnes in 2024-25. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 「早くやって」1日たった10秒で体重が… 大正製薬 続きを読む Undo The most commonly grown variety of the fruit in UP is red-skinned with red flesh. 'The initial investment is high for growing dragon fruit, as it requires making cemented pillars for plants to grow and take support of,' said sources in the horticulture department. However, it is one of the fastest returning perennial fruit crops, assuming full production within five years of plantation. Given the lesser number of commercial producers of dragon fruit in the country and an ever-increasing demand because of its health and medicinal benefits, its cultivation is a profitable venture. Under the centrally-sponsored Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme, farmers in the country are given a 40% subsidy on the input cost of over Rs 6,75,000 lakh per hectare for the commercial cultivation of dragon fruit, provided the survival of the crop is 80% in the first year. Mirzapur, The New Hub Commercial cultivation of dragon fruit is being carried out in several districts in UP, such as Sonbhadra, Jaunpur, Kushinagar, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Basti, Ambedkarnagar, Hardoi, Ghazipur, and Barabanki. However, it is Mirzapur that has taken the lead as its climate has proven particularly conducive to dragon fruit cultivation, allowing the crop to flourish. In 2024-25, the region cultivated crops over 100 hectares, out of a total of 260 hectares where the crop was grown in UP in the last financial year. As Mirzapur continues to cultivate this vibrant fruit, it not only boosts the local economy but also positions itself as a pivotal hub in the agricultural landscape. The Way Ahead In 2025-26, the state govt plans to bring in 200 hectares more under dragon fruit cultivation in the state by covering new farmers under the scheme. Not only this, the govt is also considering setting up an exclusive centre of excellence for dragon fruit in Mirzapur's Deoria Kalan village to provide high-quality planting material to farmers and train them in its cultivation and processing. 'The reason why the govt is encouraging more and more farmers to grow it on a commercial level is because it can be grown in a wide range of agro-climatic zones, including areas of high temperature and water scarcity regions,' said sources. The govt is keen to promote its commercial cultivation in the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Taste of India: Dussehri, Chausa UP's sweet ambassadors in Gulf
Prayagraj: The famed Dussehri and Chausa mangoes from Pratapgarh district have gained immense popularity in Dubai and Oman, captivating international consumers with their exceptional taste and aroma. Since their export began three years ago, demand has been growing steadily. This season, tons of these mangoes are set to be exported to meet the increasing demand from these countries. Mango farmers like Prabhakar Singh from Shahpur village and Avneesh Singh from Kunda, Pratapgarh, have found success in exporting their produce. Avneesh, who has been involved in fruit export for four years, owns a 22-bigha mango orchard and leases an additional 80 bighas. He started exporting mangoes to Oman in 2022 with a small shipment of one ton, which received a positive response. Encouraged by this, he expanded his exports to Dubai in 2023, sending a total of five tons. The same volume was exported last year, and in 2025, both countries have placed new orders for Dussehri and Chausa mango varieties. Likewise, Prabhakar owns over 100 mango trees. "A medium quality harvest yields around 800 kilos of Chausa per tree and 400 kilos of Dussehri. This year, the yield will be more, giving us handsome profits," said Singh. Mango exports from the region have shown a steady increase, with 2 quintals exported in 2022 and 5 quintals in 2023. Although exports were lower in 2024 due to a poor harvest, farmers are optimistic this year, expecting to export 6-7 quintals of mangoes. The mango exports are facilitated through pack houses in Lucknow and Varanasi, as none are available in the Prayagraj division. Despite incurring additional transportation and packaging costs, the exports yield up to 25% higher earnings compared to local market sales. A crucial factor behind this success is the adoption of fruit bagging technology. This method involves covering mangoes with protective wax-lined paper bags while they're still on the tree, shielding them from pests, dust, sunburn, and wind damage. As a result, the mangoes develop better color, shine, and overall quality, making them more appealing in international markets due to their improved appearance and durability. The Uttar Pradesh govt has taken note of this advancement and is now providing financial support under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). Registered farmers can receive a subsidy of Rs 25,000 per hectare for adopting fruit bagging technology, which is expected to further enhance the quality of mango exports. Deputy director of horticulture, Krishna Mohan Chaudhary, stated that mangoes are cultivated over 2,100 hectares in the Prayagraj division, with Pratapgarh being the largest cultivation area. He emphasized that sustained growth in mango exports, coupled with technological support, will not only boost farmers' income but also strengthen the global presence of Indian mangoes. Box No brick kilns allowed The Kunda and Kalakankar blocks have been designated as fruit belts, prohibiting brick kilns and smoke-related businesses. Since its designation 15 years ago, the mango crop has shown improvement, and the benefits have been sustained over time. As many as 84 villages in Kunda block and 63 in Kalakankar — 143 villages — are protected in the fruit belt.
