Cactus to be grown as a crop

NEW DELHI: The thorny cactus that has for long populated the world’s most arid regions is now India’s major focus as a crop. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) plan to grow cactus crop across 10, 000 hectares.
Dr S Ayyappan, director general of ICAR, has suggested that the wide network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) can be put to good use to spread cactus cultivation in different parts of the country.Cactus is fast catching the attention of every country as a vital crop. At present, it is cultivated over 18, 91000 hectares.
More than 1, 600 species of cactii are found across the world, and are used as soil-water conservator. Nearly 50 products including juice, nectars, candies, frozen pulp and flowers are marketed around the world.
Mukesh Khullar, joint secretary (Crops) & Mission Director, National Food Security Mission, assured full assistance and cooperation for knowledge-backed cactus network programme. “Cactus can solve many problems of arid and semi-arid areas. We can use it as a non-conventional food with less calories and more nutritional quality. It can play an important role in food security,” he added.
Cactus is getting eyeball in every continent as a vital crop for increasing plant cover, carbon sequestration, livestock feeding, conserving wildlife, medicinal and cosmetic uses.