Ilocos Norte as the

Dragon Fruit Capital of

the Philippines

Dragon fruit is a money crop.

- It requires little investment capital and
maintenance.
In the Philippines, there are 2 main varieties
of pitaya:
White fleshed- Hylocereus undatus
Red- fleshed- Hylocereus costaricensis

Dragon fruit plant grows well in the province because of its

favorable weather condition.

ILOCOS NORTE
perfect climate
sustainable soil
With hectarage being expanded
every year

Dragon fruit is a very popular product in Ilocos Region because of its

medicinal value and other by-products that promise sure income for
farmers.
Refmad Farms owned by Edita Aguinaldo Dacuycuy in
Burgos, Ilocos Norte
Biggest dragon fruit producer
She was motivated by the search for alternative medicine.
In partnership with Mariano Marcos University and Department of Science and
Technology--- she continues to promote the use and production of dragon fruit.

ILOCOS NORTE
At least 70 hectares of Ilocos Nortes farm lands are planted with
dragon fruit plant, benefiting 645 growers and their families.
Dragon fruit plants start bearing fruits in May until November. Growers
harvest dragon fruits at least five times a year.
Ilocos Nortes production is still below the export target.
Leonardo Pascua, project leader of the dragon fruit research and development
extension of MMSU, said dragon fruit growers need to have at least 1,000 ha of
dragon fruit plantations to supply the global market.

Other provinces that grow dragon fruit (Pitaya) aside from

Ilocos Norte:
1. Cavite
2. Bicol
3. Davao
Commercial planting farms:
1. Pangasinan
2. Nueva Ecija
3. Quezon

Promotion of dragon fruit

In 2003, DA-BAR through its Agribusiness Development Project were able to
uncover the potential of dragon fruit in collaboration with Southern Mindanao
Integrated Research Center, Davao City.
The initiative was able to:
1. Enhance and share the production technology of dragon fruit
2. Propagate seedlings for distribution to other interested growers
3. Establish the value of the produce

The agenda of Research and Development initiatives is ensure that the natural
resources in the Philippines are used and maximized to its full potential such as the
unexplored fruits common in the country.
HAVE CULINARY, MEDICINAL AND ECONOMIC
POSSIBILITIES

Sources:
http://www.bar.gov.ph/digest-home/digest-archives/368-2012-4th-quarter/4607octdec2012-dragon-fruit
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/443189/dragon-fruit-takes-over-ilocos-norte#
http://www.thedailyguardian.net/index.php/iloilo-business-news/18860-dragonfruit-opens-opportunities-to-farmers
Ilocos Agriculture Resources Research and Development Consortium.2012.
Ilocos Norte to become dragon fruit capital of Ph.Retrieved from:
ilarrdec.mmsu.edu.ph/manuals/ILARRDEC_Reporter,_July_2012.pdf