A Workshop on Dragon Fruit was organized by CHES (ICAR-IIHR), Bhubaneswar on 30th September, 2021 in virtual and offline mode. Prospects, production technology, post-harvest management, nutraceutical value and marketing of dragon fruit were major highlights of the workshop. More than 80 participants comprising of horticulture officers, extension functionaries, farmers and university students attended the program. Framers of Boudh, Nayagarh, Mayurbhanj, Baripada, Dhenkanal, Jagatsighpur, Khurdha, Puri and Cuttack participated in the workshop. In his opening, Dr. B. N. S. Murthy, Director, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru highlighted the prospects of dragon fruit in eastern region of India. He emphasized upon the adoption of scientific production technology for quality dragon fruit production. Availability of quality planting materials (QPMs) is one of the most important issues in viable dragon cultivation, Dr. Murthy added. He further told that since area under dragon fruit is increasing in Odisha, CHES Bhubaneswar can ensure supply of QPMs by establishing linkages with the growers. Dr. G. C. Acharya, Head I/c & Convener, welcomed the Director, guests, speakers and participants and highlighted the activities of CHES, Bhubaneswar. He told that dragon fruit had potential to increase the income of the growers due to higher market value. Moreover the Horticulture Deptt. of Odisha is also giving importance to dragon fruit, Dr. Acharya added. Er. N. K Pradhan, Former Secretary, Govt. of Odisha in his inaugural address highlighted the importance of dragon fruit in crop diversification. He appreciated the effort of CHES, Bhubaneswar in providing planting materials and production technology to the farming community of the state. Dr. A. Dash, former Head, Hort. OUAT, highlighted the scope of dragon fruit in told that effective market channel was required to ensure remunerative price as establishment cost was relatively higher. Dr. Kundan Kishore gave a brief account on the Workshop and put emphasis on the critical production aspects and post-harvest management of dragon fruit. Dr. G. Karunakaran, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru gave a broad overview of scientific production technology of dragon fruit including value addition, whereas Dr. Tanmoy Mohanty, (KIMS, Bhubaneswar) highlighted the nutraceutical properties of dragon fruit for human health. Sh. Akshaya Sethi, a dragon fruit grower, highlighted the scope of dragon cultivation in Odisha. Sh Laxmikanta Mishra, Future Retail Ltd. threw light of the marketing aspect of exotic fruit. He told that Big Bazar is ready to purchase quality dragon fruit at premium price. The queries of participants pertaining to dragon fruit were also answered by the experts. Dr. Kundan Kishore demonstrated in detail the scientific production technology and post-harvest management aspects in dragon fruit. Considering the potential of dragon fruit, growers expressed their willingness to cultivation dragon fruit. The program was coordinated by Dr. Kundan Kishore and Dr. Deepa Samant with the help of Suchitra Behera and project workers. The program was organized under RKVY Post-harvest project. The workshop was ended with the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Deepa Samant.
