Professional Documents
Culture Documents
INTRODUCTION
Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus) production is gaining more and more
recognition as an important crop. It is a nutritious fruit with a variety of uses. The
fruit pulp can be eaten fresh and can be made into various valuable processed
products. The fruit possesses medicinal properties: it is known to prevent colon
cancer and diabetes, neutralizes toxic substances such as heavy metals, reduce
cholesterol and high blood pressure. It is also reported to control high sugar levels,
prevent cancer and bleeding, and promote dental health. It is rich in vitamin C,
phosphorous and calcium which help to develop strong bones, teeth and skin. The
fruit is considered a health fruit(ICBF, 1992; Morton,1987).
A Dragon Fruit Production Enterprise has been demonstrated to provide
viable source of food, income and employment to growers locally and abroad. It
could be an asset to backyard growers as well as entrepreneurs of medium and
large scale plantations. It is a fast return perennial fruit crop with production in the
second year after planting, and full production within five years. It was also noted to
sustain production up to twenty years provided desirable cultural management
practices are applied. Although the initial investment is relatively high, profit is
substantial and within 4-5 years, about 4-5 million pesos could be earned per
hectare.
Dragon fruit is an ideal crop for dry areas but differs from other cacti species
which are of dessert origin because it requires sufficient rainfall ranging from 1.730
2.540 mm per year to sustain its productivity. It can grow in varied types of soil
provided the plantation area is well drained.
On these premises, considering the climatic condition of Pangasinan province,
it can be ideal for dragon fruit production. Besides, according to observation on the
agro-physical characteristics of Dragon Fruit, the level of risk in producing the crop
is lesser and to some extent more tolerant to adverse weather conditions as
compared to the production of other high-value commercial crops
Here in Pangasinan, the products supply is still very limited despite the high
market demand. This may be due to the plants seasonal harvesting characteristic
and the few dragon fruit growers in the province. In response to the current
markets needs, our company is studying various factors that will help in forming
our Dragon Fruit Farm.
CHAPTER II
PROJECT SUMMARY
Mission
Our
mission
is
to
grow
profitably
through innovation
and
operational
Vision
In a world with limited natural resources and a growing population, * aims to play a
leading role in supplying first-rate products, providing first-class service and
developing the most efficient and sustainable fresh produce solutions, in close
cooperation with its customers and suppliers.
Core Values
INTEGRITY - We practice honesty, fairness, and respect in all aspects of our
business.
CUSTOMER SERVICE - Customers are the most important people in our company.
We will provide them with prompt, cheerful, and attentive service.
QUALITY To ensure that we provide our customers with a superior product for the
most value, from farm to fork we are involved in every aspect of procurement and
distribution of our produce.
TEAM - We listen to and respond to our employees needs and the needs of their
families. We strive to provide a safe and clean work environment that will
contribute to the personal growth and security of our team members.
2.4 History
Dragon fruits are originally native to Mexico, and they were also transplanted
to Central America and to other parts of the world. According to Aztec literature,
Pitahaya fruits date back to the 13th century. This fruit is a highly nutritious and
healthy food that contains low level of fat and calories, vitamin C, phosphorus,
calcium, fiber and antioxidants. Dragon fruits are also called as Pitaya, Pitahaya, fire
dragon fruit, dragon pearl fruit, green dragon, or strawberry pear.
Dragon fruit first come to the Philippines in 1900 through trade and exchange
of goods with Spaniards. In the early 2000, Dragon Fruit farming is known to be
possible in the Philippines but still gaining popularity. Thus, in 2003, a technology
demonstration on dragon fruit production was established at the Central Experiment
Station (CES) of the Southern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center
(SMIARC) in Manambulan, Tugbok, Davao City. This Techno-demo farm was then
visited by many aspiring dragon fruit growers and some consumers interested in the
growing process of the fruit. With funding support from the Bureau of Agricultural
Research (BAR) through its Agribusiness Development Project (ADP), the technodemo farm aimed to:
1. showcase technology on the production of dragon fruit,
2. mass propagate and distribute to other regional research station or interested
growers, and
3. determine the economic value of dragon fruit.
In year 2007, Ilocos started to grow the said fruit and formed the Rare Eagles
Forest Marine and Agricultural Development or Refmad Dragon Fruit Farm.
And
after years of operation, the owner, Edita Aguinaldo is then called as dragon fruit
lady of the north. This dragon fruit plantation is currently the countrys leading
exporter and distributer in the Philippines. And now, this farm has expanded to 13hectare dragon fruit plantation in Paayas, Burgos, Ilocos Norte.
Currently, the fruit is also cultivated in East Asian and Southeast Asian
countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the
Philippines, Indonesia, and more recently Bangladesh. They are also found
in Okinawa, Hawaii, Israel, northern Australia, southern China, and in Cyprus.
This growth of the dragon fruit agriculture sector still continues to boost
creating more opportunities to future dragon fruit plantation.
also
considered some strategies to reach their goal; aside from profit generation, they
also considered their customers satisfaction.
General Objective of the Project
To
To
To
To
To clearly discuss the flow of authority and the policies that will serve as
guide of the entire business.
Buyer Power
Threat of Substitute
CHAPTER III
MARKETING STUDY
3.1
Market Description
3.2
Target Customers
Demand
Supply
3.3
Demand Analysis
Historical Demand
Projected Demand
3.4
Supply Analysis
Historical Supply
Projected Supply
3.5
3.6
Competitors
3.7
Competitive Advantage
3.8
Marketing Strategies
Product
Price
Place
Promotion
Has red-skinned fruit with white flesh. This is the most commonly seen "dragon
fruit".
Climbing cactus with large, scented, night blooming flowers
Fruit weighs 1 kg or more with light melon-like taste
Fruit has bright red skin, with translucent white flesh and tiny black seeds
With triangular cross-section of its stem and minimal spines
* Dragon Fruit Farm will be growing organic Pitaya Roja and Pitaya Amarilla.
Our farm will not be growing Pitaya Blanca, which is the least sweet dragon fruit and
knowing that this is the most common of its kind which means this variety of dragon
fruit supplies larger percentage than others in the market. Also, our company wants
to maximize the production of the two latter types of the fruit because of its better
taste yet lesser availability in the market especially the yellow dragon fruit. Growing
dragon fruit using organic fertilizers makes the product healthier and avoid having
chemical contents present from dragon fruit grown using chemical-based fertilizers.
Site Selection
Dragon fruit must be planted in an open field with direct exposure to sunlight.
It is not conducive to plant the crop in areas where rainfall is well distributed. Site
should be free draining with a sandy loam soil with a high organic content.
Ground Preparation
Rows or individual sites are mounded to 300 mm, poles should be no more
than 2 m long with 600mm in the ground.
Poles can be anything from concrete to PVC, (but treated timber should be
avoided) with a frame attached to the top to allow the plant to hang down.
The recommended planting distance is three meters between posts and four
meters between rows. Proper distance of planting is important since a narrower
spacing gives quicker production than larger spacing.
Red flesh pitaya prefers to grow on a trellis or fence line.
Planting Material
Dragon Fruit is propagated through seeds or cuttings. From seeds, it grow
well in a compost or potting soil mix even as a potted indoor plant. Dragon fruit
(Pitaya) cacti usually germinate between 11 and 14 days after shallow planting. As
they are cacti, overwatering is a concern for home growers. As their growth
continues, these climbing plants will find something to climb on, which can involve
putting aerial roots down from the branches in addition to the basal roots. Once the
plant reaches a mature 10 pounds in weight, the plant may flower.
From the cuttings, plant them in plastic bags for two months and transfer
them in an open field. Cuttings can be purchased from some local commercial
nurseries and pitaya growers. Seedlings are too variable for commercial production.
Irrigation
Water daily through the dry at a volume of 80 L/day, regular organic mulching
is strongly recommended.
Water stress can cause fruit splitting; slow shoot development, yellowing and
flower drop.
Nutrition
A combination of organic and complete fertilizer (14-14-14) and urea (46-00). Use more organic and more nitrogen. The ideal is to apply fertilizer every 3
months if possible or every six months. Use 2 kg of organic + 25 g urea + 75 g
complete fertilizer per plant.
Pests
Meat ants, ginger ants, and birds have been recorded as causing serious
damage to plants and fruit. Plants will need some form of netting to prevent bird
damage to fruit.
Diseases
A soft watery rot can occur after damage such as sunburn.
Pruning
Regularly prune them to obtain an open, manageable, and productive
umbrella shape canopy. Also, it is important to prune right after harvesting the
fruits. Regular pruning will induce new shoots for the next cropping season.
Harvest
After establishing the plant in the field, it would take around 26 months to
bear fruits. Harvest must be done 35-40 days after the flower opening.
Fruit can be harvested approximately 28 days after fruit set when there is a
colour change from green to 85% pink.
Fruit harvested with a red skin colour are generally larger and sweeter.
Post Harvest
Fruit will keep for two to three months in a cool room at 7-10C and 90-98%
relative humidity.
4.3 Suppliers
Vicinity Map
Floor Plan
BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.mixph.com/dragon-fruit-growing-and-production/
http://www.pinoybisnes.com/agri-business/dragon-fruit-production-guide/
http://www.freshplaza.com/article/163577/Philippines-Farmers-off-season-dragonfruit-proves-a-hit
http://businessdiary.com.ph/7595/dragon-fruit-pitaya-production-guide/