Bengaluru, June 8 (UNI) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said that high-income, low-input crops like dragon fruit (Kamalam) are crucial for building a "Viksit Krishi" (developed agriculture) model that supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047.

Standing amidst rows of dragon fruit plants on farmer Muniraj’s field in Bengaluru Rural district, Chouhan hailed the crop as a symbol of modern, sustainable farming. "Dragon fruit is an organic, cactus-family fruit that requires no chemical sanitizers and thrives on cow dung manure. It resists disease naturally, cutting input costs while delivering strong economic returns," he told reporters.

The minister noted that farmers can start earning ₹2–3 lakh from the very first year of cultivation, with earnings rising to ₹8–10 lakh from the second year. "By the third year, when the plant reaches full production, a farmer can net ₹6–7 lakh annually. This is the future of Indian agriculture — high profit, low input, health-positive," Chouhan asserted.

He pointed out that such models align with the Prime Minister’s goal of making India a developed nation by 2047. "For a developed India, we need developed agriculture and prosperous farmers. Diversification into crops like Kamalam is not just an option — it is a necessity," he said.

Chouhan also emphasised the health benefits of dragon fruit, highlighting its high nutrient content and organic nature. "These crops offer threefold benefits: they are chemical-free, they improve human health, and they offer superior returns compared to traditional farming, where annual savings often don’t exceed ₹1 lakh," he said.

Calling upon farmers across the country to embrace agricultural diversification, Chouhan said,

"Let us move together towards Viksit Krishi. The journey to Viksit Bharat begins from the soil."

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