Sep 22, 2020
The red-purple dragon fruit that has helped Kutch farmers make a good living will soon be known ‘kamalam’ (lotus). The Gujarat forest department has sent a proposal to the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) for change in nomenclature of the dragon fruit to call it ‘kamalam’.
Officials and farmers have suggested the name ‘kamalam’ because of the close resemblance with the shape and appearance of the fruit that of a lotus.
“It (lotus) is also held in high esteem among various religions due to its purity in muddy conditions. This name (kamalam) would have the advantage of instant connect with the common farmers and thus it is expected to gain wide acceptance,” states a letter written by Ram Kumar, additional principal chief conservator of forests, social forestry division. The letter written last month is addressed to the deputy director-general of ICAR.
The dragon fruit has been successfully cultivated in Kutch region. Apart from Gujarat, this fruit is cultivated in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Island.