Fatehabad farmer turns barren land into dragon fruit orchard

When determination is true, even deserts can turn green. Sunil Kumar Baradwal, a young farmer from Daiyar village in Bhattu Kalan block of Fatehabad district, has turned this saying into reality by growing dragon fruit on his sandy land — a feat that has become the talk of the region.

Sunil decided to move away from traditional crops like wheat, mustard and cotton to cultivate dragon fruit on 2 acres of his sandy land.

Villagers were skeptical. How can a tropical fruit grow in sand, they questioned. But Sunil was determined. He travelled all the way to Kerala, where dragon fruit farming is well developed and took professional training there. Armed with new knowledge and techniques, he began his experiment and transformed his barren land into a thriving farm.

Today, Sunil’s farm is full of plants heavy with bright, ripened dragon fruits. The crop not only brings him lakhs in income but has also turned his fields into a training farm.

Farmers from nearby villages now visit him to learn modern cultivation methods. Sunil personally guides them in irrigation, organic fertilisation and marketing strategies.

A postgraduate, Sunil works as a data operator at the Fatehabad Civil Hospital. Yet, his passion for farming never faded.

During the Covid lockdown when most people stayed indoors, he spent time attending online seminars and gathering information about new crops — and that’s where his dragon fruit journey began.

It was not the easiest of the starts for Sunil. Some plants dried up and some got infected. But he refused to give up. Today, the same farmers who once laughed at his idea now come to his farm for advice.

According to Sunil, the initial investment in dragon fruit farming is around Rs 3-4 lakh per acre, which covers the cost of saplings, cement poles, drip irrigation and organic fertilisers. However, the plants continue to produce fruits for 10-15 years. After the initial investment, it offers steady and high returns every season.

Sunil explains, “The best thing about dragon fruit is that it’s always in demand. It’s rich in Vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, great for health and boosts immunity.”

A model for modern agriculture

Sunil Kumar’s success story shows that with the right vision and persistence, agriculture can become a modern and profitable enterprise. The young farmer from Daiyar has not only changed his own destiny but also inspired hundreds of farmers across Fatehabad to adopt innovative and sustainable farming practices.