North Khorasan - Iran has begun harvesting papaya, a high-value tropical fruit originally native to the warm climates of Central America.

 

A new papaya greenhouse established at the Imam Reza Greenhouse Complex in North Khorasan Province represents a major research and commercial development, according to a report by the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

Covering 7,000 square meters, the facility has now entered full production, marking a significant step forward in Iran’s efforts to cultivate high-value tropical crops domestically, the report added.

 

The papaya plant is an evergreen, herbaceous species with a soft, single trunk that can grow between one and ten meters tall. Although the plant may survive for up to 20 years, its economically productive lifespan rarely exceeds three years.

 

Papaya production begins relatively quickly: the first harvest typically occurs about 12 months after seed planting. Each flower requires approximately 145 to 165 days after pollination to mature into a ripe fruit.

 Because of the fruit’s extremely thin skin, harvesting, storage, and transportation require careful handling.