BY FIONA MOTSA
MBABANE– Excitement as annual dragon fruit season arrives.
The team at Dalcrue Farm in Malkerns is in high spirits after their hard work paid off by producing high yields of dragon fruit.
The manager at Dalcrue Farm Sibusiso Mahlalela said they had been cultivating dragon fruits for a whole year and despite the challenges, the annual dragon fruit production season had arrived.
“The annual dragon fruit production season is finally here despite all the challenges we have faced during the cultivating and managing Pitaya (Dragon Fruit). Our resources were very limited with only two employees to manage a one-hectare pitaya garden.
“We were fortunate enough because the Fruit tree Project provided a fruit-tree plan to us which includes regular application of fertilizers and pruning operations,” said Mahlalela.
Mahlalela further disclosed that a total of 8 500 kilograms of Dragon Fruits had been harvested.
“A total of 8 500 kilograms of dragon fruits have been harvested since December last year, and have been further sold to retail stores nationwide with stable quality over the years,” said Mahlalela.
The farm manager further mentioned that they sought advice from Cheng Shih Lung who is an expert on the second phase of the Fruit Tree Production and Sales project.
“Mr Cheng Shih Lung explained us that crops were unstable due to the drought which occurred last year. Therefore, in order to avoid this, dragon fruits should be harvested at the right time.
“He also explained how fruit cracking occurs during the harvest season thus the commercial value is lost. Sufficient and effective irrigation during the harvesting season was an important key to the quality and quantity of dragon fruit production,” said the manager.
Mahlalela also revealed that to as means to promote dragon fruit consumption in Eswatini, they would use social media and invite media reporters for interviews.
“As a way of promoting the purchase of dragon fruit by consumers in Eswatini, the second phase of the fruit tree production and sales plan formally invite media reporters and use a social media platforms to get more people intrested in using the fruit and provide confidence and interest to farmers who want to cultivate dragon fruit in the future,” said Mahlalela.
Dragon Fruit Health Benefits
According to LoginToHealth, the dragon fruit is a pink coloured fruit that resembles watermelon and kiwi in its taste. The dragon fruit is rich in calcium, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, phosphorus, carbohydrates and many more essential nutrients which enhance the immune system.
- Enhances weight reduction: Consuming dragon fruit in salad reduces body fat. It contains protein which does not increase weight.
- Improves Asthma: Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C which is effective in treating Asthma. It also contains fibre, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin B2, which help in removing toxins from the body. This prevents cancerous cell to grow.
- Improves hair quality: Consumption of dragon fruit prevents hair fall. It contains many nutrients which strengthen hair roots and prevents hair fall.
- Prevents constipation: Dragon fruit boosts the metabolic system and improves the digestion.
- Enhances skin texture: Dragon fruit contains high amounts of vitamin A and C, which makes the skin smooth and bright.
- Effective for diabetes: consuming dragon fruit daily controls blood sugar levels and is thus useful for diabetic patients
Improves digestion: the fibre present in dragon fruit helps in digestion and prevents constipation.
