Dragon fruit RAJKOT: After the state government decided to rename the dragon fruit grown in Kutch as ‘kamalam,’ the farmers have now requested for subsidy from the horticulture department to encourage more cultivation of this exotic variety. Vishal Gada, one of the pioneers of dragon fruit cultivation in Kutch said, “We are told that subsidy is not given for a foreign fruit and these don’t fall in the list of subsidy. “The cost of cultivation of dragon fruit in one acre is Rs five lakh which majority farmers can’t afford.” Farmers say all native fruits are eligible for one-time subsidy for plants, fencing, irrigation facility and others.