Hyderabad: Dragon fruit growers in Telangana are facing steep financial losses after prices plummeted due to oversupply and interstate imports, leaving many unable to recover input costs.
Once a premium crop fetching ₹200 per kg, dragon fruit now commands a fraction of that, with large-scale cultivation in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh flooding local markets. Additional supply from Maharashtra and Karnataka has further depressed prices.
Farmers say the drop has rendered the crop unviable. They have urged the state government to introduce procurement support or set a minimum support price. Demands also include marketing assistance, dedicated farmer markets, and export promotion schemes to access international buyers.
Agricultural experts warn that without immediate intervention, thousands of cultivators could face mounting debt. They stress the need for structured policy support covering price stability, market access, and agronomic guidance to protect future cultivation.
