VIGAN CITY-The city government formally launched the massive planting of dragon fruit with the distribution of 3,000 cuttings of the plant to farmer leaders on Monday.

City Mayor Eva Marie Singson-Medina spearheaded the distribution of cuttings to 28 of the 39 barangays in the city in a simple ceremony in front of the city hall.

Medina expressed optimism that the planting of dragon fruit could open the door for another job opportunity and income generating activity for farmers in the city.

The 28 recipient barangays were considered, being farming communities where most of their residents depend mostly on agriculture.

The city government is targeting an aggregate one hectare area in the whole of Vigan to be planted with dragon fruit under a program designed by the city government.

“The dragon fruit-bearing plant is easy to grow but it could give long-term benefits to the farmers as this is a perennial plant that can thrive for 50 years, she said.

This means that harvest time for the farmers will be made continuously for 50 years, Medina said.

She said dragon fruit is the main ingredient in the processing of one of the most expensive wines in the world, “the dragon fruit wine”.

Medical experts also claim that dragon fruit, belonging to the cacti family, is an excellent anti-oxidant. It is anti-cancer, anti-rheumatism and anti-diabetes and can prevent high blood pressure, urinary tract infection and constipation.

City Agriculturist Cecilio Acena disclosed that the initial recipients of the planting materials for the project were the 25 presidents of the existing city’s farmers associations.

Each recipient received 100 cuttings. The cuttings were purchased by the city government at a cost of P200 per piece, Acena said. (PNA)