Dragon fruit production is gaining more and more recognition as an important crop. It is a nutritious fruit with a variety of uses. The fruit pulp can be eaten fresh and can be made into various valuable processed products. The fruit possesses medicinal properties.

It is known to prevent colon cancer and diabetes, neutralizes toxic substances such as heavy metals, reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure. It is also reported to control high sugar levels, prevent cancer and bleeding.

It also promote dental health. It is rich in vitamin C, phosphorous and calcium which help to develop strong bones, teeth and skin. The fruit is considered a health fruit.

Dragon fruit production enterprise has been demonstrated to provide viable source of food, income and employment to growers locally and abroad. It could be an asset to backyard growers as well as entrepreneurs of medium and large scale plantations.

It is a fast return perennial fruit crop with production in the second year after planting, and full production within five years. It is also noted to sustain production up to twenty years provided desirable cultural management practices are applied.

Although the initial investment is relatively high profit is substantial and within 4-5 years, about ₦50million to #60million could be earned per hectare.

Dragon fruit is an ideal crop for dry areas but differs from other cacti species which are of dessert origin because it requires sufficient rainfall ranging from 1.730–2.540mm per year to sustain its productivity.

It can grow in varied types of soil provided the plantation area is well drained. Besides, according to observation on the agro-physical characteristics of Dragon fruit, the level of risk in producing the crop is lesser and to some extent more tolerant to adverse weather conditions as compared to the production of other high-value commercial crops.

Anent to this, since dragon fruit, according to varied sources is a kind of fruit crop that can be grown organically and can be produced in a partially shaded area, it is then a good candidate crop for the establishment of organic agriculture and integrated and diversified organic tree- based farming system.

Dragon Fruit Farming Complete Beginners Guide Using Nigeria as a Case Study

1. Marketing Aspect

The market potential of Dragon Fruit in Nigeria is expected to be very high because of limited number of commercial producers of the product.

According to survey, there are only a few farm cultivating dragon in Nigeria. Nevertheless, buyers do not feel the abundance of the product because the price remains as high association #5000 to #8000 per kilo. Currently there is high demand for dragon fruits in Nigeria that cannot be met.

2. Technical Aspects

The management and technical considerations in Dragon Fruit Production do not require sophisticated technology. It is a matter of following the desired procedures recommended by experts plus personal knowledge and interest will ensure the success of the endeavor.

The Eleven (11) Technical Factors to Consider

1. Climatic Requirements

Dragon Fruit although a member of thefamily Cactaceae requires adequate water because they originated from tropical rainforest unlike other cacti which are of desert origin. It requires around 1.7-2.5 mm of rainfall to sustain good growth and productivity.

Hence, it is very ideal to be grown in most parts of the Nigeria including the North & the South South and South West of Nigeria.

2. Soil Requirements

Dragon Fruit could be grown in a wide range of soil types provided it is well-drained. However, the most ideal soil type is rich in organic matter and slightly acidic.

3. Selection of Planting Materials and Nursing of Cuttings

Use of asexual propagation is most practical and cheapest way of propagating dragon fruit .The use of Dragon Cuttings most preferred and recommended because it has 100% guarantee that your plant will carry the characteristic of the mother plant.

Matured cuttings will be taken from a healthy mother plant just after fruiting season. The entire segment of thevstem should be taken preferably 20-30cm in length. Cuttings will be pre-rooted or hardened in the nursery one month before planting.

4. Land Preparation and Weeding

The land to be used should be properly cleared before laying out the plantation area and placing of posts. Plowing and harrowing in between posts to be planted with desirable intercrop will follow to prevent growth of weeds.

5. Trellising

A 4×4 x 2meter concrete post should be used as trellis. Distance of trellis will be 3m x 3m to accommodate 444 plants per acre.

The 50cm length of the post will be buried into the ground so that it will be strong enough to hold around 100 kgs of lateral vines and to withstand adversities brought about by typhoons and heavy winds.

A desirable rubber tire braced with strong iron bar will be anchored at the top end of the post to serve as agent in forming an umbrella like structure of the hanging vines.

6. Preparation of Planting Hole and planting

One hole of 20cm wide and 30cm depth will be dug within the four walls of post for planting. One Kilogram of organic fertilizer mixed with top soil will be placed at the hole properly incorporated and loosened before planting.

Pre-rooted/hardened cuttings will be planted one in each hole and watered immediately to prevent newly planted cuttings from wilting.

7. Managing growing Dragon plants

The plants grow fast and climb in the post in a short period. Damaged on the growing vines may occur if they should fall on the ground, hence, tying loosely to the post should be undertaken.

Only outer leader vines are allowed to climb the post to ensure vigorous growth. Once the vines reaches the top of the post just above the rubber tire previously placed, structural pruning should be undertaken by removing the tip of the main stem to allow growth of new shoots to grow laterally and climb at the rubber tire to form an umbrella like structure of vines where flowers will emanate and develop into fruits.

The plants could develop around 30 productive lateral stems between its first and second year. It is expected that thick dense mass of lateral stems will increase to around 130 during the ensuing years.

Excessive number ofvgrowing lateral stems will increase the advent of pest and diseases, hence, desirable number of lateral stems only should be maintained to ensure vigorous growth.

8. Irrigation

The type of climate we have in Nigeria is very suitable for dragon fruit production hence intermittent drip irrigation system is required during the dry season .

9. Fertilizer Application

Dragon fruit, like any other crops, requires judicious application of fertilizer for higher yields. Initial amount of fertilizer to be applied basally before planting will be 1 kg vermi compost and 50grams of urea (46-0-0) mixed with ammonium phosphate 3 months after planting. Kind and amount of fertilizer to be applied in the ensuing months will be based on crop stand.

10. Pests and Disease Control

Dragon fruit is a kind of crop which is comparatively free of pest and diseases. Prevalence of common insects like ants, scale insects, mealy bugs and the like can be controlled through the application of common insecticide. If there will be advent of common diseases like stem rot and anthracnose, application of desirable fungicide is be administered.

11. Harvesting

Fruits can be harvested 30 days after fruit set or 40-50 days after flowering. However harvesting is preferable 50 days after flowering to allow the fruit attain its maximum sweetness and weight. It is expected that there will be deformed or split fruit; hence, they should be processed as added income.