How a Facebook group is fuelling Bangladesh’s dragon fruit revolution

Bangladesh’s dragon fruit industry has transformed into a thriving sector, offering long-term profitability for farmers. Photo: Courtesy

Sayem Sarowar is a soldier at the Bangladesh Army and a dragon fruit cultivation enthusiast. He now owns more than 70 dragon fruit plants of more than seven varieties on the rooftop of his house in Mathbaria union of Pirojpur. 

Around three years back, he first saw a dragon fruit plant in the Cumilla Cantonment during a work visit. He got himself a stem from that plant and started nurturing it. The dragon fruit plant, requiring little maintenance, quickly grew up.

Later, he bought 50 plants from a local nursery and started growing them. He shares his cultivation updates in a Facebook group named 'Dragon Foler Chash Shomprosharon' and in doing so, he has inspired many individuals from his fraternity and beyond to embrace this passion.

"As you have already understood, I am a novice in dragon fruit cultivation. This group, and the knowledge I gained from other gardeners on proper cultivation methods, helped me a lot in my journey," he said.

Founded in 2019 by agriculturist Dr Md Abdus Salam, the group has become a vital hub of information for dragon fruit cultivators across Bangladesh. Dr Salam, now a deputy secretary at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, has been working extensively on the commercial viability of the Fruit. The group now has a membership exceeding 83,000 people. 

"Many believe that dragon fruit originates from Thailand, but it is actually native to Central and South America," he explained. "It was introduced to Bangladesh in 2007 unofficially, and I started researching it in 2011. Extensive commercial farming started around 2014."

Over the years, the cultivation of dragon fruit has expanded significantly in Bangladesh, particularly in the Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon, and Chapainawabganj districts. The last decade has seen a sharp increase in farming as more people recognise the fruit's potential as a cash crop.

Farmers in the Barind region, in particular, have leveraged dragon fruit cultivation due to its minimal water requirements and low irrigation costs. As a result, both production and sales of the high-value fruit have risen substantially. 

Dragon fruit is suitable for everyone to eat. The flesh and seeds are both edible and they are eaten altogether. It supplies fibre, which aids in digestion and helps keep the liver healthy. The rest of the fruit contains carbohydrates and water. It has a mild sweet taste and is low in calories.

Dr Salam believes the Facebook group has been instrumental in promoting dragon fruit cultivation at both the household and commercial levels.

"Many people were unaware of the proper cultivation methods, the diverse varieties available in the country, or the right fertilisers and treatments. This group has become a hub for shared knowledge and research, helping enthusiasts learn and grow together," he said.

Sharing stem cuttings and knowledge

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Mozuma Akhtar, a rooftop gardener from Merul Badda, is an active member of the group. She had long been searching for the Thai Red Velvet variant of dragon fruit but could not find it in nearby nurseries.

One day, she came across a post from a fellow Dhaka-based gardener showcasing fresh Thai Red Velvet dragon fruit from her own garden. Mozuma reached out and requested a stem. The gardener gladly couriered her one, which she nurtured into a mature plant. Mozuma's plant was later once attacked by an insect, after which she turned to the group for advice regarding the right pesticide. 

"This is the best part of the group," Mozuma shared. "Not only do we learn about different varieties, but the community is always supportive in sharing stem cuttings and knowledge."

Later, she also shared stem cuttings with other individuals.

Like Mozuma, many individuals have received and given stem cuttings through this group.

A few weeks ago, an unusual post in the Dragon Foler Chash Shomprosharon group caught the community's attention. A farmer shared how he was repurposing mature dragon fruit plant stems as cattle feed, even selling them to local cattle owners.

"Much like plum trees, dragon fruit plants require regular pruning. Trimming older stems annually improves the yield. The aforementioned individual has been upcycling the trimmed stems," explained Dr Md Abdus Salam. 

However, he added a note of caution. "While this practice is gaining popularity, we still need proper research to confirm its nutritional value for cattle."

The rise of experimental dragon fruit cultivators

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Omar Suny, a gas cylinder supplier from Narayanganj, has turned his passion for dragon fruit cultivation into a thriving side venture. Last year, he earned Tk20,000 solely from the dragon fruits grown in his garden. But for him, cultivation is more than just a source of income — it is an ongoing experiment.

Since 2021, Suny has been actively working with different dragon fruit breeds, collecting and crossbreeding them in hopes of creating unique hybrid variants. His latest creation, a variety he named "Asanta", is expected to yield sweeter dragon fruits.

"It's still in the experimental phase," he shared. "If everything goes as planned, I can start selling this variety in 2027."

Beyond hybridisation, Suny also experiments with agricultural chemicals, collaborating with friends in Vietnam who share insights on advanced cultivation techniques. One of his latest projects involves developing solutions to enhance the colour and appearance of dragon fruits, similar to the ones seen in international markets.

"These chemicals don't affect the size or taste — only the visual appeal of the fruit," he clarified.

His innovations have already found a market, as he has sold some of his specialised chemicals to farmers within the Dragon Foler Chash Shomprosharon Facebook group.

The future of dragon fruit cultivation in Bangladesh 

Bangladesh's dragon fruit industry has transformed into a thriving sector, offering long-term profitability for farmers. With each plant capable of bearing fruit for up to 25 years, the cultivation of this foreign fruit has become increasingly attractive.

Once concentrated in the northern regions, dragon fruit farming has now expanded to the south. Districts like Narsingdi, Cumilla, Satkhira, and Jhenaidah have embraced commercial cultivation, with five out of 17 upazilas in Cumilla already engaged in large-scale production.

What makes dragon fruit cultivation even more promising is the ability to grow it year-round using artificial lighting. Farmers have adopted techniques involving 100-watt incandescent bulbs and 20-watt warm LEDs, which extend daylight hours and enhance fruit production.

"Dragon fruit plants thrive in sunlight and typically bear fruit from April to October. By using artificial lighting to extend daylight by four hours [two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening] farmers can now harvest fruit throughout the year," explained Dr Salam.

Despite these advancements, Dr Salam voiced concerns over the increasing use of chemical tonics to artificially enlarge the fruit, often compromising its natural taste. He urged the government to implement stricter regulations to ensure the quality and authenticity of locally grown dragon fruit.