Munish Sood
MANDI: Breaking away from traditional farming practices, Prem Chand, a farmer from Thaur village under Jukain gram panchayat in Sarkaghat subdivision of Mandi district in Himachal Pravesh, has emerged as a role model for the farming community by successfully cultivating dragon fruit.
Through innovation, natural farming practices and efficient use of limited land, he has demonstrated that horticulture can become a sustainable and profitable livelihood option.
Prem Chand began dragon fruit cultivation in 2024 on nearly 2.5 bighas of land, planting 800 saplings of the Jumbo Red variety. Encouraging results were visible in the very first season. During 2025, he earned over Rs 50,000 from the initial harvest. So far, he has sold around two quintals of dragon fruit in the market at prices ranging between Rs 250 and Rs 300 per kg.
Earlier engaged in conventional farming, Prem Chand said the returns were not commensurate with the hard work involved. On the advice and technical guidance of the Horticulture Department, he decided to shift to dragon fruit cultivation. Proper land development was undertaken, including field levelling and preparation of raised beds. The saplings were sourced from Maharashtra and trellis technology is being used to support plant growth. He is now planning to expand the cultivation area in the coming years.
Commonly known as a “super fruit”, dragon fruit offers several health benefits, though awareness about its nutritional and medicinal value remains limited. Prem Chand has been actively encouraging people to include the fruit in their diet. He also pointed out that dragon fruit can be stored safely for up to two months without refrigeration, making it commercially viable.
Practising natural farming, Prem Chand does not use any chemical fertilisers or pesticides. Along with dragon fruit, his fields also have custard apple and papaya plants. His son Arjun Sharma is actively assisting him in agricultural operations.
To promote horticulture, the state government, through the Horticulture Department, sanctioned Rs 62,000 as subsidy under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for dragon fruit cultivation on 2.5 bighas of land.
The first installment of Rs 38,000 has already been credited to his account. In addition, he was provided drip irrigation facilities under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. The total cost of the system was Rs 25,000, out of which 80 per cent (Rs 20,000) was provided as subsidy.
Expressing gratitude, Prem Chand credited the Horticulture Department and the State Government for their support and guidance in his successful farming venture.
Subsidy of Rs 3.37 lakh per hectare for dragon fruit cultivation
Horticulture Subject Matter Specialist, Sarkaghat, Dr Anil Thakur, said that dragon fruit cultivation is providing farmers with higher yields and better market prices within a short time. Being a cactus species, the crop is suitable for regions with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius and is, therefore, being promoted in warmer pockets of the district.
Under the area expansion programme, farmers are eligible for a subsidy of up to Rs 3,37,500 per hectare, disbursed in two instalments, with 60 per cent released in the first phase. Subsidies are also available for modern irrigation systems such as drip irrigation, sprinklers and rain guns.
Horticulture Development Officer Dr Vipin stated that dragon fruit cultivation is emerging as a sustainable income alternative for farmers in the Sarkaghat region. He said progressive farmers like Prem Chand have shown that with departmental schemes, technical guidance and natural farming practices, better income can be achieved even on small land holdings.
