Dragon Fruit: The Super Fruit

Backbone of human society depends on contribution of farmers who are responsible for sustainable
agricultural growth, food & nutritional security, poverty alleviation and country’s growth. Many
countries like India are characterized by small holding agriculture with agro-climatic diversity. Today’s
agriculture needs inclusive development within the limit of available and decreasing cultivable land
and to find the ways to upgrade livelihood of farmers. Introduction of high value crops like dragon fruit
having good prospects and market demand is one of the options for crop diversity in farmers’ field
which ensures better profit, quick handsome return even after high initial investment with 20-25 years
of guarantee. Dragon fruit has good nutraceutical benefits along with food and ornamental values for
its beautiful nocturnal flowers. Its demand is increasing in Indian market very fast, but, 95 % is
imported from other countries from which some farmers dare to cultivate it. However, its variation in
plants creates some problems for better crop improvement, cultivation protocol development, post
harvest management, species identification, marketing etc. Thus, the idea of publish this book is
aimed to compilation of all the information in a single platform for better understanding of the crop and
provide a guidance to the growers, students and researchers for successful cultivation, crop
improvement etc. to boost up the country’s economy.