Parliament Question: Cultivation of Dragon Fruit

O.I.H GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3834 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11th August, 2026 CULTIVATION OF DRAGON FRUIT

3834. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण म(cid:287)ं ी be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has assessed that the climate, temperature and agricultural conditions of Sri Ganganagar-Hanumangarh closely resemble those areas of Madhya Pradesh where large-scale successful cultivation of dragon fruit is being carried out;

(b) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that dragon fruit is a high- value crop grown with minimal water requirement, which could be suitable for this region, if so, the details thereof

(c) whether the Government is considering to encourage cultivation of dragon fruit in Sri Ganganagar-Hanumangarh by providing scientific studios, pilot projects, demonstration plots, quality planting material training, subsidy and marketing support, and

(d) if so, the details and time-frame thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (d): Agriculture is a State subject. The assessment of location-specific climatic suitability for the cultivation of crops is undertaken by the concerned State Government. As reported by the Government of Rajasthan, climatic conditions of Sri Ganganagar-Hanumangarh does not closely resembles with Madhya Pradesh. As in Sri Ganganagar-Hanumangarh area the soil is sandy, high warm wind velocity in summers, temperature shoots up to 48 degree Celsius for long duration in summers and temperature dips below 0 degree Celsius in winters. Dragon fruit performs well in warm conditions specially when the average temperature remains between 20-30 degree Celsius. The temperature above 38-40 degree Celsius for prolonged period can cause sunburn, stem damage, poor flowering and reduced fruit development. The crop is also frost sensitive. Therefore, Sri Ganganagar-Hanumangarh area may not suitable for dragon fruit cultivation.Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for holistic development of the horticulture sector, including promotion of high-value fruit crops such as dragon fruit, based on agro-climatic suitability and the Annual Action Plan approved by the State Government. Under MIDH, assistance is available to the States including State of Rajasthan for promotion of dragon fruit through need-based interventions. These interventions include area expansion under fruit crops, including dragon fruit, and the production and distribution of quality planting material through accredited nurseries.

Crop-specific Centres of Excellence are established for the production of quality planting material. Demonstrations of improved technologies, improved cultivation practices and protected cultivation technologies are undertaken. Capacity building, training, exposure visits and skill development programmes are organised for farmers.

Assistance is also provided for the establishment of post-harvest management infrastructure. The Post-Harvest Management and Centre of Excellence components under MIDH are demand/entrepreneur-driven and Government assistance in the form of credit-linked back-ended subsidy is available through the State Horticulture Missions. However, no separate proposal specifically for promotion of dragon fruit cultivation in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts has been received from the Government of Rajasthan under MIDH.

*****