Kerala: 'Sweet Dragons' aplenty in this organic farm at Malappuram

Ummerkutty, a resident of Vattalur in Malappuram, has been cultivating dragon fruit in his aquaponics farm and has proved that the fruit which usually grows in deserts can be grown in Kerala too. A storehouse of antioxidants and vitamins, dragon fruit is effective in increasing haemoglobin levels in the body.

Malappuram (Kerala): It is the harvest season at Ummerkutty’s fruits and aquaponics farm in Vattalur in Malappuram district of Kerala. Dragon fruit, which is special in taste and quality, is the main attraction in Ummerkutty’s organic farm.

Though exotic, this fruit does grow in our soil, says Ummerkutty, who proved it by growing dragon fruits in his farm. On returning to Kerala after working abroad for many years, Ummerkutty has been totally engaged in farming activities.

Now, his farm in Vattalur is full of ripe dragon fruits ready for harvest. It is tastier when added to fruit salads and in milkshakes, Ummerkutty says. A storehouse of antioxidants and vitamins, dragon fruit is also effective in increasing haemoglobin levels in the body.

Keralites have already accepted and developed a liking for the dragon fruits grown in Mexico, Thailand, Israel, Vietnam and Srilanka on a large scale. Like cactus plants, dragon fruit plants are non-leafy plants, which can be grown as ornamental plants and as fruit crops at the same time.