Retired Teacher Grows Dragon Fruit in Karimnagar
Kallem Subhash Reddy, a 68-year-old retired government teacher from Choppadandi town in Karimnagar district, has taken up an innovative farming venture. He decided to cultivate dragon fruit on his agricultural land, becoming a pioneer in the region.
Three years ago, after drilling three boreholes on his land, Subhash realized that water was scarce. Instead of giving up, he chose to grow dragon fruit, a crop known for its low water requirement. He also recognized that dragon fruit is often imported from other states, so growing it locally would make it more accessible to the community.
To cultivate dragon fruit on one acre of land, about 6,000 plants are needed, each costing Rs 45. The overall investment for planting and maintaining the crop ranges from Rs 6 lakh to 7 lakh per acre. Growing dragon fruit requires various materials, including tools and protective structures.
Subhash installed 7-foot tall poles, each costing around Rs 500, to support the plants. Additionally, to safeguard the crop from wild animals like wild boars, he erected 60 stone poles, each 9-feet tall and costing Rs 400, around the garden.
Watering the plants is done through drip irrigation, and Subhash stressed the importance of careful maintenance until the plants reach harvest. He explained that the fruits are sold at Rs 200 per kilo, and once the cultivation starts, it can yield profit for up to 25 years. While the initial investment is significant, it decreases after the first harvest.
Subhash pointed out that it’s challenging for farmers to sell dragon fruit after harvesting as they lack proper marketing channels. He urged the government to provide marketing support through the Horticulture Department. He also emphasized that if the government provides plants either free of charge or at a subsidized rate, other farmers might be encouraged to grow crops besides rice.
