The PAU’s Regional Research Station, Faridkot organized training-cum-demonstration on “Dragon Fruit Cultivation” on August 09, 2024 under the NABARD-funded project entitled “Popularization of Dragon Fruit Cultivation in district Faridkot.” The training was attended by 20 selected farmers of district Faridkot for setting up of 20 Dragon Cultivation and Demonstration Units (DCDUs) for promoting this crop.
Dr Kuldeep Singh, Director, RRS, Faridkot, emphasized on the importance of crop diversification in Punjab to reduce the over-reliance on traditional crops like wheat and rice. He highlighted how dragon fruit with its high market value and adaptability to Punjab’s climate could significantly enhance the income of small and marginal farmers. He hoped that the joint collaboration among PAU, NABARD and ATMA, Faridkot will help in popularizing initiative of dragon fruit cultivation.
Mr Ashwani Kumar, DDM, NABARD, said that the dragon is now becoming an essential part of fruit basket in marriage ceremonies and its demand in the state is increasing day by day. He told that this project is a novel initiative to set up 20 DCDUs in Faridkot district, which will help the farmers to gain first-hand experience with this crop cultivation. Once successful in Faridkot district, the project may be expanded to other districts of Punjab as well in the same mode, he added.
Mr Aman Keshav, Project Director, ATMA, Faridkot, observed that such projects are need of the hour for crop diversification, and emphasized the economic and environmental benefits of diversifying crops through dragon fruit cultivation, which offers a high-value alternative and contributes to sustainable agricultural practices.
In the inaugural session, Dr Amardeep Kour, Horticulturist and Principal Investigator (PI) of the Project, welcomed all the beneficiaries of the programme and delivered a lecture on dragon cultivation, besides exposing the farmers to dragon unit at RRS, Faridkot. She informed that this project aims to exhort the farmers to diversify the new crops like Dragon fruit and extend all-time technical support throughout its cultivation period. She also made a mention that this project is in joint collaboration with Dr Jaswinder Brar, Principal Fruit Scientist, Department of Fruit Science, PAU as Co-PI of the Project.
The training programme was followed by the distribution of cement poles and rings along with PAU recommended varieties Red Dragon 1 and White Dragon 1.
Dr Satnam Singh. Senior Entomologist PAU, RRS, Faridkot, proposed a vote of thanks.
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