Following the release of two varieties of Dragon fruit by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), the University has moved towards the popularization of this fruit crop among the farmers. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned a project to the Regional Research Station (RRS), Faridkot and PAU, Ludhiana for the popularization of dragon fruit in the district Faridkot. The project will be jointly operated by the RRS, Faridkot and the Department of Fruit Science, PAU, Ludhiana. The project through NABARD’s FSPF funds involves popularizing dragon fruit cultivation to co-create dragon fruit enterprise with support for initial dragon setup inputs, intensive trainings, technical support, literature and exposure visits. The project also involves the collaboration of ATMA, Faridkot with Mr Amandeep Keshav, Project Director as one of the partners.

Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research; and Dr Kuldeep Singh, Director of RRS, Faridkot congratulated the team comprising Principal Investigator Dr Amardeep Kaur, Horticulturist, RRS, Faridkot; and Co-PI Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar, Principal Horticulturist, Department of Fruit Science, PAU, Ludhiana for bagging this prestigious project and wished them all success in their future endeavours.