A joint Pakistan-China Agricultural Rate has grown dragon fruit on formerly barren coastal terrain near Karachi and brings the products into Pakistani markets.
The subordinates began four years ago when Tuneian Farm, a Chinese company, collaborated with another Chinese company and three local Pakistani partners. Their goal was to transform 48 hectares of salt water and alkaline soil, only three kilometers from the sea, into productive agricultural land using Chinese country aid techniques. What was once considered unsuitable for agriculture now supports high quality dragon fruit cultivation.
Today, the farm is actively growing on 20 ha, with a plan to increase the area by another five hectares every third to the fifth month. During the high season, almost 50 local workers are employed, contributing to rural areas and strengthening community engagement.
The harvested fruit comes through local supermarkets and specialist places and is transported across Pakistan via domestic airlines. In addition, the fruit finds a niche in Pakistan’s beverage industry, especially in bubble tea shops.
Tiantian Farm has been running Dragon Fruit Initiatives in Pakistan since 2018 and maintains an eight -acre cultivation base in Lahore. In addition to production, the company has distributed plants, facilitated propagation of seedlings and provided education to both farmers and scientific researchers.
Students from the University of the Punjab’s Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology visited the Karachi Farm to observe the first hand of cultivation.
The varieties that are cultivated include hongxin (red meat), bairou (white flesh), Huanglong (Yellow Dragon), Jindu and Dahong 3, all recognized commercial cultures in China. The project’s management also marketing samples of Pakistani cultivated dragon fruit internationally and targeted buyers in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Central Asia. Early feedback has been favorable.
Management sees further potential in processed products such as juices and dried fruit snacks, which they believe can increase the export value significantly and open new income flows for Pakistan’s agricultural sector.
This initiative shows how modern agricultural techniques and cross -border cooperation can transform marginal land and introduce new crops with high value. It also emphasizes the possibilities of Pakistan to diversify its horticultural output and integrate into regional and global processed fruit markets.
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After harvesting dragon fruits for the first time in Sindh, progressive farmers believe that exports of dragon fruit varieties could potentially transform the national economy if performed on a large scale.
Express Pakinomist interviewed progressive farmers and researchers regarding the cultivation of dragon fruits, explored aspects such as varieties, scope, trends, prices and agricultural techniques.
“I have grown about 7,000 plants in one hectares, with plans to rise to 18,000 plants next year on almost three hectares of land. I expand this starting business while I provide advice and services to other enthusiastic farmers. Ordinary farmers and large landlords often hesitate, but I took this initiative to operate at a commercial level, making me one of the three pioneers in the country. First, Dragon fruits at a commercial level, making me one of the three pioneers in the country.
However, I am the only performer of high density suit in the country. I introduced this technique already adopted in India. I harvested dragon fruits in June 2023 and marked my first harvest as a lacquer test to assess size, taste and quality. The plants are now gradually multiplied through natural pollination.
Currently, the retail price in Pakistan varies between RS3,000/kg and bulk RS2,000/kg. I completed a test sale to a Karachi supermarket at a speed of RS1.700/kg, ”mentioned Captain Rizwan Rehman, the progressive producer and owner of Delicious Dragon Fruit Farm and Nursery Karachi.
He emphasized that three cycles with fruit for a year started from June to November in Pakistan. With regard to yield average, the third -year fruit from a plant on average 7 kg. A farmer can generate revenue of about RS2 billion annually from one hectares by growing 8,000 plants in high density.
Rizwan emphasized that there is currently no export in the country due to high demand in Pakistan and it is not easily accessible. While exports will take the time to develop, he believes they can have a significant impact on the national economy due to high demand and rates. He also pointed out that, unlike India, the Pakistani government does not provide any support or subsidies to this industry.
“I advocate for awareness and promote dragon fruit farming in Pakistan. I have grown fruits on my farm and kindergarten in Gadap, Karachi, which boasts 80 varieties, including dark star, Filipino purple, red rubi, siam red, royal red, morokko red, orange prinkis, desert king, aussie gold, taiwan honey, asuna, Red, Vietnam.
Muhammad Rehan, a small progressive farmer from Tando Allahyar, shared that he grew this fruit with 11 varieties in 2019 on a small piece of land and harvested good fruit weighing 320 to 330 grams in October.
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He plans to cultivate dragon fruit at the commercial level and is in contact with farmers from Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Matiari and others because of the promising return.
“The trend in fruit cultivation is changing against exotic fruits. Dragon fruit gives significant income return to breeders. We grew this elite fruit crop at Latif farm in SAU in March 2022 and harvested fruits in October 2023. We have created 50 poles, with each pole carrying four plants. Kindergarten, with 1,000 plugs, ”said charge Noorun Nisa Memon, the most important investigator of model Fruit Nursery at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU).
Agricultural researchers indicated that there are more than 250 dragon fruit varieties, each with its own taste, similar to strawberries, kiwi, pineapple and others. They mentioned that dragon fruit varieties typically take about 18 months to produce fruit after planting, but they can mature earlier in the coastal areas of Karachi and Thatta due to appropriate weather conditions.
Growing dragon fruits have the potential to significantly increase export of horticulture in Pakistan significantly. The scope of suit fruit cultivation is large and it turns out to be very profitable due to global demand. Researchers foresee a bright future for Dragon Farming in the coastal belt in Karachi and Thatatta, where the weather conditions are ideal, requiring temperatures between 10 to 40 degrees Celsius.
They pointed out that Vietnam, the largest exporter of Dragon Fruit, exports $ 1.1 billion annually. In contrast, a Chinese couple and a local farmer named Ameen Commercial Dragon Fruit Farms established in Lahore and Kasur four years ago. Another local farmer, Sohail Ahmed Khan, is expanding his farm commercially in Sargodha and is expected to be ranked as fourth soon in the local agricultural industry.
