Heavy rain and flooding destroy 33% of Zuvaan Dhandiveriya’s dragon fruit farm

Heavy rain and flooding in Meedhoo district of Addu resulted in extensive fungal growth, damaging a large part of the dragon fruit farm run by Abdulla Ramzy, better known as Zuvaan Dhanduveriya.

Ramzy told Sun on Thursday that the heavy rain the previous day caused flooding in his farm, leading to the growth of fungus.

He was forced to cut down around 33 percent of his dragon fruit plants.

“Around 33 percent of the farm had to be cleared because it became unsalvageable due to fungus growth. We cut it down, no matter how much it hurt, to prevent it from spreading to other plants,” he said.

Ramzy began growing his dragon fruit farm back in 2020.

“A plant grown from the stem of a mature plant typically bears fruit in around a year. The yield is higher the second year,” explained Ramzy. “Dragon fruit plants may produce a low yield the first year, but produces a higher yield starting the second year.”

Ramzy said that the plants he was forced to cut down due to fungus growth were among his highest yielding plants.

But on the bright side, he was able to salvage the rest of his farm, including 120 pillars of the most recently planted dragon fruit trees, which are now ripe for harvest.

Ramzy farms not only dragon fruit, but also other produce, including cucumber and tomato.

However, his dragon fruit farm remains by far the most popular, with many of his customers reserving the superfruit months in advance. The farm also attracts a large number of visitors.