Locally grown dragon fruit from Karachi's formerly unproductive coastal land is now available in markets across Pakistan. The development follows a four-year project by Tiantian Farm, a Chinese agricultural company, working with another Chinese farm and three Pakistani companies to convert 48 hectares of saline-alkaline soil, located 3 km from the sea, into farmland using Chinese land remediation technology.
"These lands were once considered useless for farming. Now, they are producing high-quality dragon fruit," said Shan Ailin, head of Tiantian Farm. The current trial cultivation covers 20 hectares, with expansion progressing at a rate of 5 hectares every three to five months. Peak seasons see around 50 local workers employed. "The community's excitement is palpable; this is more than just agriculture; it's a new opportunity for the region," Shan added.
The Karachi farm supplies major supermarkets, specialty import stores, and distributes to other Pakistani cities via domestic airlines. Dragon fruit has also become popular in beverages, particularly bubble tea. "The market response has been tremendous," Shan said. "The fruit's vibrant appearance and fresh taste have created entirely new business opportunities in Pakistan's beverage sector."
Since 2018, Tiantian Farm has promoted dragon fruit cultivation in Pakistan, including an 8-hectare base in Lahore. The company has partnered on seedling propagation and donated saplings to research institutions, universities, and farmers, with support from local authorities. Students from the Centre of Excellence for Molecular Biology at the University of Punjab have visited the Lahore farm to observe cultivation methods.
The farm grows several Chinese commercial varieties, including hongxin (red flesh), bairou (white flesh), huanglong (yellow dragon), Jindu, and Dahong 3. Shan has promoted Pakistani dragon fruit at international trade fairs and established contacts with buyers in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Central Asia. "We've sent samples worldwide, and the feedback is positive. Processed dragon fruit products, like juices or dried snacks, could bring even greater value to Pakistan's economy," he said.
Source: China Economic Net