Pakistan’s agriculture sector has marked a breakthrough as locally cultivated dragon fruit, grown on previously barren coastal land in Karachi, has made its way to markets across the country.
The achievement follows a four-year initiative by Tiantian Farm, a Chinese agricultural enterprise, in collaboration with another Chinese farm and three Pakistani partners. Together, they transformed 48 hectares of saline-alkaline soil, just 3 km from the sea, into fertile farmland using advanced land remediation technology from China.
“These lands were once considered useless for farming. Now, they are producing high-quality dragon fruit,” said Shan Ailin, Head of Tiantian Farm.
The Karachi farm currently cultivates 20 hectares, with plans to expand by 5 hectares every three to five months. At peak seasons, nearly 50 locals are employed, providing both livelihoods and community optimism. The farm now supplies supermarkets, speciality stores, and distributes produce nationwide via domestic airlines. Dragon fruit has also gained popularity in Pakistan’s beverage sector, especially in bubble tea shops.
“The market response has been tremendous,” noted Shan, highlighting the fruit’s appeal and its potential to create new business opportunities.
Tiantian Farm has been promoting dragon fruit in Pakistan since 2018, with an eight-hectare base in Lahore. It has also supported local agriculture by donating saplings, propagating seedlings, and training researchers and farmers. Students from the University of Punjab’s Centre of Excellence for Molecular Biology recently visited the farm to learn about cultivation practices.
Currently, the farm grows several commercial Chinese varieties, including hongxin (red flesh), bairou (white flesh), huanglong (yellow dragon), Jindu, and Dahong 3. Shan has also showcased Pakistani dragon fruit at international trade fairs, engaging potential buyers in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Central Asia.
Samples sent abroad have received positive feedback, with growing interest in processed products like juices and dried snacks. “Processed dragon fruit can create even greater value for Pakistan’s economy,” Shan emphasised.
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