Producers can make Manaus the national capital of dragon fruit

Production

The Amazon has favorable characteristics for fruit production to occur from January to December

Pitaya has gained more and more space in the local market, especially at the Regional Product Fairs of the Amazonas Sustainable Development Agency (ADS), where the producers themselves can offer the fruit for sale at more competitive prices. From small to large producers, public policies to encourage the Primary Sector have built success stories in the heart of the Amazon.

Although the first four months of the year are considered the peak of the harvest, the Amazon has favorable characteristics for pitaya production to occur from January to December. This is already a common practice on the property of farmer and businessman Cleber Medeiros, located at kilometer 35 of AM-010, the highway that connects the capital to Itacoatiara (176 kilometers from Manaus).

Cleber states that, in order to exploit the fruit with good productivity, it is necessary to take into account the climatic conditions, soil acidity correction, fertilization policy, harvesting method, production flow, storage and commercialization.

As much as many items seem to be considered, even so, the city of Manaus fulfills all the requirements to become a reference in the world market. “We want to make Manaus the national capital of dragon fruit because we have land, we have hardworking people, we have a totally favorable climate, we are here four hours from Miami, so we can export dragon fruit all over the world. What is missing is production,” he said.

Between December and April, a period in which large amounts of rain are recorded in the region, plantations are capable of producing a greater quantity of pitaya, as explained by ADS agronomist Haroldo Cunha Diórgenes.

“The greatest productivity of dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) in the State of Amazonas occurs in the months with the highest rainfall, that is, from December to June of each agricultural year. The irrigation system is necessary to meet the water needs of the plants in the months of lower rainfall”, he highlights.

Government Support

ADS offers support to farmers throughout the State, through technical consultancy and programs to promote and strengthen the Primary Sector. Farmer Cleber Medeiros, for example, is accredited in the Agency’s programs and, as a result, benefits from training and is able to participate in the Family Assistance Program (PAF), which purchases food from family agriculture and aquaculture, agro-industries, associations and cooperatives, for donation to low-income families.

The purpose of the PAF is to ensure food security for the socially vulnerable portion of the population and to promote the development of the local economy with the purchase of foodstuffs (fresh produce and fish).

benefits of dragon fruit

Native to North and Central America, dragon fruit has numerous health benefits. The pitaya fruit is rich in antioxidants, phosphorus, calcium and fiber, very important compounds for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, chronic diseases and also in the fight against some types of cancer, diabetes, stomach and respiratory problems. The consumption of fibers and antioxidant substances, present in the pulp, can reduce cholesterol and also improve blood pressure.

Pitaya can be found at all Regional Product Fairs promoted by ADS in the interior and in the capital of Amazonas. The complete calendar of fairs can be accessed on the website: www.ads.am.gov.br.

*With advisory information

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