CM says horticulture farming will ensure maximum income for farmers

Chief Minister Nara Chandrabu Naidu. File | Image Source: Arrangement

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to promote horticultural cultivation extensively in all areas of the state, excluding Godavari and Krishna Deltas. The goal should be to ensure that farmers’ minimum annual income is Rs 10,000 per acre, he said.

At a horticultural review meeting held in the Secretariat on Tuesday, the Chief Minister pointed out that farmers should be provided with the necessary support based on 11 priority crops (chili peppers, bananas, mangoes, oil palms, cocoa, cocoa powder, cashews, cashews, coffee, coffee, coconuts, tomatoes and onions). The current area under horticulture in the state is 1.823 million hectares. This must double in the next five years. He said that given the growing demand for oil palm, cocoa and coconut, awareness among farmers about growing these crops must be raised.

Mr Naidu pointed out that less than 1% of global cocoa cultivation occurs in India, and he stressed the need to take advantage of global market demand. Cocoa must be grown on at least one hundred thousand acres of land. In addition, farmers should be trained after maintaining quality harvests. He also suggested encouraging farmers to establish small-scale processing units to increase income. He said the focus should be on increasing the value of crops produced by farmers, adding that subsidies provided by central and state governments for micro-irrigation must be fully utilized by farmers in the state.

Mr Naidu stressed the need to prioritize SC, ST and small farmers for drip irrigation systems. For those who have already undergone drip irrigation, automation equipment should be installed to optimize the use of water and fertilizers. “Farmers should be aware of how this technology can help them save water and fertilizer,” he said.

Officials informed CM that monthly meetings are being organized in all regions to explore the potential of the horticulture field. They also reported that farmers had been allocated Rs 3.2 crore worth of fruit cover on a subsidy basis to cultivate 10,000 hectares of fruit. They said the initiative brought farmers an additional income of Rs 12 billion.

Minister of Agriculture K. Atchnnaidu, Chairman of Agricultural Missionary Company Marreddy Srinivas Reddy and others were present.