GIS-Based Land Suitability Assessment for Sustainable Dragon Fruit Cultivation in Meghalaya, India

Soil degradation poses a significant threat to agricultural sustainability, particularly in the hilly regions of South and Southeast Asia, where steep terrain, intense rainfall, and shallow soils accelerate surface runoff and erosion, resulting in substantial topsoil loss. In India's North Eastern Region, approximately 17.91% of the land is affected by degradation, primarily due to soil acidification and water-induced erosion. The state of Meghalaya is especially vulnerable owing to its rugged topography and high monsoonal rainfall, which intensify soil erosion and nutrient depletion. The predominance of shallow soils further limits natural recovery processes, making restoration slow and challenging. Additionally, traditional agricultural practices such as shifting cultivation (jhum) exacerbate soil degradation, with soil loss rates far exceeding natural soil formation rates [1].

Dragon fruit (commonly known as Kamalam), scientifically classified under Hylocereus spp. and Selenicereus spp., has emerged as a high-value fruit crop globally due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. Also referred to as pitaya or strawberry pear, it belongs to the climbing cactus family and originates from Central and South America. The crop is well known for its tolerance to abiotic stresses, pests, and diseases, making it suitable for marginal and degraded lands. Dragon fruit can be cultivated up to an altitude of about 1700 m, with an annual rainfall requirement ranging from 1145 to 2540 mm. It thrives best in well-drained, slightly acidic loamy soils (pH 5.5–6.5) and optimal temperature conditions between 20°C and 30°C. Commercially, four major types are cultivated: red skin with white flesh (Hylocereus undatus), red skin with red flesh (Hylocereus polyrhizus), red skin with purple flesh (Hylocereus costaricensis), and yellow skin with white flesh (Hylocereus megalanthus) [2].

The crop is typically planted during July to August using 20-25 cm long stem cuttings, spaced at 3 m × 3 m under a single post system. Plants begin bearing fruits within 12-15 months after planting, with harvesting occurring between June and September, often in multiple cycles within a month [4].

Dragon fruit was introduced in India during the 1990s and has since gained popularity due to its low maintenance requirements, drought tolerance, and resilience to extreme weather conditions. It is increasingly recognized as a promising crop for the utilization of degraded lands. Currently, the crop is cultivated over more than 3000 hectares in India, with Gujarat contributing approximately 34% of the total production (2020). Other states engaged in its cultivation include Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mizoram, and Nagaland [5]. Despite this expansion, a substantial proportion of dragon fruit available in Indian markets is still imported from countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. The productivity of the crop is often influenced by nutrient management practices, particularly the use of inorganic fertilizers [6].

In Northeast India, dragon fruit cultivation has been reported in states such as Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya [7]. In Meghalaya, the crop covers an area of approximately 174 hectares, with a total production of 786.6 metric tons as of 2020 [8].

Despite its growing importance and favorable agro-climatic conditions, systematic studies assessing land suitability for dragon fruit cultivation in Meghalaya remain limited. The absence of comprehensive spatial evaluations restricts the identification of potential areas for its expansion. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the spatial suitability for dragon fruit cultivation across the entire state of Meghalaya using geospatial techniques integrated with soil-site evaluation methods.