Akhnoor, Sep 3: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Jammu organised a one-day training-cum-awareness programme on “Orchard Management of Dragon Fruit Cultivation in Rainfed Areas” at Barui village in Akhnoor, focusing on promoting high-value fruit cultivation as a sustainable livelihood option for farmers in Jammu’s kandi and rainfed areas.

The programme was organised by the Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST-Jammu, under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. B.N. Tripathi and the guidance of Director Research, in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Akhnoor. Around 50 farmers from different panchayats of the Akhnoor zone participated in the programme.
The initiative was organised under HADP-RAD, Project No. 15 on Rainfed Area Development, with Dr. Arti Sharma, Professor, Division of Fruit Science, serving as Principal Investigator. Horticulture Development Officer Akhnoor Sandeep Sharma also supported the programme.
The training aimed to encourage farmers to explore dragon fruit cultivation in rainfed and kandi areas, where diversification into high-value horticultural crops could contribute to improved farm incomes and livelihood security. Technical pamphlets and a bulletin on dragon fruit cultivation were also distributed among participants.
Horticulture Development Officer Sandeep Sharma briefed farmers about various government schemes and initiatives, including the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Area Expansion Programme and MIDH, along with other interventions supporting the establishment and expansion of horticultural plantations.
He encouraged farmers to adopt high-value crops such as dragon fruit and make use of available subsidies and institutional support for sustainable horticultural development.
Dr. Arti Sharma delivered a detailed expert lecture on dragon fruit cultivation, covering its botanical characteristics, climatic and soil requirements, selection of quality planting material, site selection, land preparation, planting systems, spacing and orchard establishment.
She particularly stressed the importance of using healthy planting material and adopting suitable support structures for proper canopy development and long-term orchard productivity. Farmers were also guided on irrigation, fertilisation, pruning, flowering, fruiting, pest and disease management, expected yields and the economics of cultivation.
Focus on Value Addition
Dr. Neeraj Gupta, Professor, Division of Post Harvest Management, conducted a practical demonstration on preparing value-added products from dragon fruit.
He explained simple and cost-effective processing techniques that could be adopted at farm and small-enterprise levels. The demonstration highlighted how value addition can reduce post-harvest losses, improve utilisation of surplus and lower-grade fruit, extend shelf life and create additional income and entrepreneurship opportunities for farmers.
Dr. Sudhanshu Gupta, Grading and Marketing Inspector, Department of Horticulture (P&M), Akhnoor, sensitised growers about marketing opportunities, government subsidies and support available for cultivation, post-harvest management and marketing of horticultural produce.
Dr. Sumit Bura, Young Professional-II, also contributed to the organisation and smooth conduct of the programme.
The training witnessed active participation from farmers, who raised queries on planting material, irrigation, fertilisation, support systems, pruning, pest management, fruiting, yield potential and profitability.
Experts addressed the queries and provided practical guidance on establishing dragon fruit orchards under rainfed conditions.
The programme concluded with an emphasis on integrating scientific cultivation, value addition and better marketing to make dragon fruit a commercially viable option for farmers and strengthen sustainable horticulture in Jammu’s kandi belt.