AP plans district-wise fruit summits to boost crop quality and value

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has been putting all efforts into improving the horticultural products in the state. Therefore, the Horticulture Department has made a six-month plan, aiming to provide farmers modern techniques, better market access, and training. CM Chandrababu Naidu has been taking a keen interest in boosting horticulture products. Therefore, the department has planned to organize summits in all districts, aiming to boost fruit crops across the state. This initiative is expected to bring farmers, buyers, processors, exporters, and researchers onto one platform, and they can share their knowledge about innovative farming.

The event will have several awareness programmes, and its main focus will be on modern farming methods, scientific harvesting for better fruit quality, drip irrigation with automation, the use of drones in agriculture, and high-yield and climate-friendly crop varieties. Experts will share their experiences with the progressive farmers of the state.

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Experts will transmit knowledge of how to increase the value of perishable produce with the help of processing. Farmers will be guided on how to install small- and medium-scale processing units, about MSME schemes, and how to get financial help for the setting up of infrastructure.

Discussion is expected to take place on export potential and market linkages for several crops such as mangoes, bananas, chilies, cashews, and vegetables; the process of getting quality certificates; and access to international markets with the support of APEDA.

This initiative is likely to train the farmers with the advanced technologies being used in the agriculture sector, providing better opportunities to raise their incomes, and they can access the market easily, ensuring healthy growth of the horticulture sector in Andhra Pradesh.