A hardworking entrepreneur of rural Tripura is eyeing to become a successful cultivator and he preferred to get engaged in dragon fruit cultivation. After scripting initial success, Bikash Das is now eyeing to go big and enhance production.
Trained in Bangladesh, Das of Sathchand area of Gandacherra sub-division in Dhalai Tripura district started growing dragon fruit on his own land. He brought seeds from Kolkata for cultivation.
According to Das, his cultivation started yielding good production within nine months after sowing the seeds. As a result, he reaped a good profit without waiting for a long time. He sold the fruit in the local market at the cost of Rs.500 per kg.
Successful in his maiden endeavour, Bikash Das started dreaming to expand his farming capabilities and is exploring the possibility of availing of Government assistance.
Meanwhile, the officials of Gandacherra Sub-divisional Agriculture office including Ranbir Tripura and Rakesh Das visited the dragon fruit cultivation of Bikash Das on Friday.
“Dragon fruit cultivation is a profitable activity which not only ensures the livelihood of the cultivators but also helps in generating employment opportunities for others. I have gained the experience and now am eyeing to cultivate more dragon fruits. However, I need financial assistance to enhance the cultivation and set an inspiration for others willing to cultivate the dragon fruit and earn from it”, Das told the media.
Talking to the reporters on Friday during the visit of the agricultural officers, Bikash Das also drew the attention of the government for popularizing and enhancing dragon fruit cultivation in the state.