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BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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Try eating highly nutritious cactus
THE popularity of Dragon Fruit has continued increased during the past several years.
It has become the choice of almost everybody, particularly for those who are concerned with their health because dragon fruit is considered as among the most nutritious fruits available in the market.
Dragon fruit, which is also known as Pitaya Fruit or Pitahaya Fruit, has become a favourite – due to its mouth-watering light sweet taste and unusual shape.
Since the demand continues to increase, the projections for dragon fruit tobecome a plantation crop in the country also surges.
To help address the increasing demand for dragon fruits in both the local and international markets, the Dragon Wellness Farms, Inc., which is located at Sitio Tanauan in Barangay Palaypalay, Jalajala, Rizal, started to boost its production.
Aside from the present 13 hectares of land which is already planted with about 13,000 productive hills of dragon fruit plants, the farm is now in the process of developing another seven hectares for its expansion.
The popularity of dragon fruit climbed because of its nutritional values, among many other things.
The fruit contains Vitamin C, minerals, and have high fiber content, aside from containing phytoalbumins.
These nutrients are known for the antioxidants they possess which usually help in the prevention of the formation of free radicals that may cause cancer.
Similarly, regular consumption of dragon fruit has also benefited those suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes.
The fruit comes from the dragon fruit cactus plant, which usually appears like vines.
The dragon fruit has three varieties – red variety (Hylocerus undatus), white flesh variety (Hylocerus polyrhizus), and the yellow variety (Selenicereus megalanthus).
These are the three most common varieties which are cultivated for commercial purposes.
The plant usually blooms several times in a year – usually from the months of May up to October.
Dragon fruit has a very high potential because it is now used in producing juices, wine, jam, and even vinegar, aside from the medicinal value which it contributes.
To maintain the productivity of Dragon Wellness Farm, the nutrient requirements of the dragon fruit plants should always be provided through proper fertilization.
They now source their farm inputs from Allied Botanical Corporation like the Peters Blossom Booster, Peters Yield Booster, Peters General Purpose, Peters STEM orsoluble trace elements mix, and Nordox 75 WG.
With proper fertilization, the farm could produce an average output of about 90 tons per fruiting season.
For becoming one of the famous products in Jalajala, the Dragon Wellness Farm is humble to say that its effort in producing dragon fruits is one way of helping the town to develop by providing livelihood opportunities to the local residents./PN
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