Since last year, ambitious farmers in Andhra Pradesh have been cultivating the Dragon Fruit crop, and the harvests have been encouraging. The fruit is grown in seven regions, with Chief Minister Jagan Mohan setting a goal of 200 hectares for the state's production.
Govt’s Aid for Dragon Fruit Cultivation
Under the extension of the new crop policy, the federal government would cover the cost of seed for up to five acres per farmer. To nurture the creeper-like crop, farmers must build cement or rock pillars in the fields. Per acre, 400 such pillars are required, with four saplings planted on each pillar.
The state government is providing a subsidy of Rs 35,000 per hectare to farmers for this purpose, according to Dr. Panduranga, Horticulture deputy director for West Godavari.
Experts advised the farmers that they will be able to harvest the crop within a year of planting it. Farmers, on the other hand, claim that they will have the harvest in nine months. On an acre beside the National Highway at Rangampeta in East Godavari district, farmer Machina Rambabu of Nayakampalli village is farming a Dragon Fruit crop.
He planted the plants in November 2020 and harvested 500kg in May. He was paid Rs 300 for every kilo of fruit.
These fruits are purchased, graded, packed, and sold to clients by large shopping malls. Some farmers, on the other hand, claim to have received barely Rs 150 to Rs 200 per fruit.
The fruit is also known as a "Desert Produce," according to Rammohan Rao, deputy director of the Horticulture Department. The price is currently encouraging, but if the crop is cultivated on a greater scale, the price may decline in the market. As a result, farmers could anticipate paying between Rs 45 and Rs 50 per kg. However, he claims that this is a good crop for upland locations because it produces high yields with little expenditure.
Farmers claim that an initial expenditure of Rs 6 lakh per acre is necessary, but that the yield will last for up to 20 years.
The Krishi Viznana Kendram, according to Sirisha, is giving seeds or plants to farmers across the state, including the Krishi Viznana Kendram, and the nursery costs would be covered by the central government. Her organization is also assisting farmers with a buy-back agreement for marketing their harvest.
