Commercial cultivation of dragon fruit has started in Rajapur of Jhalokati. Farmer Anisur Rahman started dragon fruit farming on two bighas of land in Shuktagarh union of Rajapur upazila.
Anisur planted 1.5 thousands dragon fruit sapling on two Bigha of land about eight months ago and now there are 2.5 thousands sapling on his filed. According to agronomists, the nutritious dragon fruit is beneficial for the human body.
Dragon has medicinal properties and immunity so its value is spreading across the country. Farmers are benefiting from dragon fruit farming and they believe that through the dragon fruit farming the wheel of rural economy is also moving.
Talking to Anisur Rahman, 35, a marginal farmer of Sangar village in Shuktagarh union of Rajapur upazila, it was learned that he started cultivating dragon fruit on two bighas of his abandoned non-agricultural land, now some trees are starting to bear fruit. However, he is hoping to get the full results next year.
Yield is expected to be good as the soil and weather are favorable for dragon farming. He said that this fruit is highly valued due to its resistance to various diseases.
Rajapur Upazila Parishad Chairman Moniruzzaman Monir said Rajapur Upazila still has a lot of non-agricultural uncultivated land. Through dragon fruit farming unemployment problem will be eliminated and employment opportunities will be created in rural areas of the country, he added.
Rajapur Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Riaz Ullah Bahadur said, dragon has been cultivated on 2 bighas of land in the upazila. As the soil of Rajapur Upazila is more suitable for fruit cultivation, the farmers here are planting new fruits.
After the success of Malta, this time they are also achieving success in dragon fruit farming. The Department of Agriculture is providing overall assistance in dragon farming, he added.
