The flavonoids in dragon fruit lower the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure BSS
BSS
Publish : 18 Nov 2021, 07:53 PMUpdate : 18 Nov 2021, 07:53 PM
Dragon fruit cultivation has grown in popularity in recent years as a lucrative cash crop that has been improving the fortunes of many farmers in the Rajshahi region, including its vast Barind tract.
Commercial farming of dragon fruit, a cactus species fruit, originally from Central America, South America, is nowadays common in Southeast Asia and China.
Shafiul Islam Mukta, a resident of Godagari upazila, said he has planted three dragon fruit orchards on 52 bigha of land in Gogram and Matikata areas.
He earned Tk27 lakh last year and has sold dragon fruits at Tk200-400 per piece based on size, quality and colour this season.
Speaking on the production cost he said around Tk2.60 lakh was required for dragon farming on one bigha of land.
Another farmer Asadul Islam Helal has established himself as a new successful entrepreneur by engaging in dragon fruit farming in the Barind area,
Helal, of Bidirpur village under Godagari upazila, had planted some dragon seedlings around six years back.
Later, he started farming the delicious and high-valued but non-conventional fruit in the region, on four acres of land in 2019 commercially.
"I spent around Tk9 lakh on each acre of land," said Helal while talking to BSS on Wednesday, adding that around one and half years’ time was needed to get fruit from the plants.
During the summer season, fruits are harvested from June to November. "I have already harvested and sold dragon fruits worth around Tk16 lakh in the current season," said Helal.
Many enthusiastic farmers like Mukta and Helal have developed themselves as successful entrepreneurs through dragon fruit farming in the Barind area.
Dragon fruit is suitable for everyone to eat. Flesh and seeds are edible parts and they are eaten altogether. It’s a good source of fibre which helps with digestion and keeps the liver healthy.
It has mild sweet tastes and is low in calories, said Dr Khalilur Rahman, a professor of the department of internal medicine in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, adding the seeds can be digested if chewed. The flavonoids in dragon fruit lower the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
It also reduces oxidative stress and artery stiffness as found in animal studies and therefore is thought to prevent complications associated with diabetes.
The high antioxidant levels lower the risk of many types of cancer, Dr Rahman elaborated.
Sirajul Islam, Additional Director of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), said the dragon fruit has been cultivated on more than 260 bighas of land only in the Barind area.
Looks like a cactus, each dragon tree lasts for 20-30 years and gives 20-25 fruits each season. Though the fruit is new in the country, there is a demand for the fruit among people, he added.
Fortune favours dragon fruit farmers in Rajshahi
Dragon fruit cultivation has grown in popularity in recent years as a lucrative cash crop that has been improving the fortunes of many farmers in the Rajshahi region, including its vast Barind tract.
Commercial farming of dragon fruit, a cactus species fruit, originally from Central America, South America, is nowadays common in Southeast Asia and China.
Shafiul Islam Mukta, a resident of Godagari upazila, said he has planted three dragon fruit orchards on 52 bigha of land in Gogram and Matikata areas.
He earned Tk27 lakh last year and has sold dragon fruits at Tk200-400 per piece based on size, quality and colour this season.
Speaking on the production cost he said around Tk2.60 lakh was required for dragon farming on one bigha of land.
Another farmer Asadul Islam Helal has established himself as a new successful entrepreneur by engaging in dragon fruit farming in the Barind area,
Helal, of Bidirpur village under Godagari upazila, had planted some dragon seedlings around six years back.
Later, he started farming the delicious and high-valued but non-conventional fruit in the region, on four acres of land in 2019 commercially.
"I spent around Tk9 lakh on each acre of land," said Helal while talking to BSS on Wednesday, adding that around one and half years’ time was needed to get fruit from the plants.
During the summer season, fruits are harvested from June to November. "I have already harvested and sold dragon fruits worth around Tk16 lakh in the current season," said Helal.
Many enthusiastic farmers like Mukta and Helal have developed themselves as successful entrepreneurs through dragon fruit farming in the Barind area.
Dragon fruit is suitable for everyone to eat. Flesh and seeds are edible parts and they are eaten altogether. It’s a good source of fibre which helps with digestion and keeps the liver healthy.
It has mild sweet tastes and is low in calories, said Dr Khalilur Rahman, a professor of the department of internal medicine in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, adding the seeds can be digested if chewed. The flavonoids in dragon fruit lower the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
It also reduces oxidative stress and artery stiffness as found in animal studies and therefore is thought to prevent complications associated with diabetes.
The high antioxidant levels lower the risk of many types of cancer, Dr Rahman elaborated.
Sirajul Islam, Additional Director of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), said the dragon fruit has been cultivated on more than 260 bighas of land only in the Barind area.
Looks like a cactus, each dragon tree lasts for 20-30 years and gives 20-25 fruits each season. Though the fruit is new in the country, there is a demand for the fruit among people, he added.