DC pushes for horticulture growth in Sri Sathya Sai district, AP

Puttaparthi: District Collector of Sri Sathya Sai, Andhra Pradesh TS Chetan has identified several major horticulture crops to boost production and exports from the district. Talking to media persons, he said that there is an immense scope of horticulture in the district, so he has been planning to promote the district’s horticulture sector, focusing on mango, sweet orange, pomegranate, areca nut, and tomato.

Chetan stressed the introduction of modern farming techniques and sustainable practices to boost production. He noted several challenges, including a reliance on traditional crops, lack of post-harvest infrastructure, outdated irrigation systems, and limited access to modern farming methods. These gaps have hindered the growth of the horticulture sector in the district.

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Despite all these challenges, the district has been situated in a place where it has several advantages, such as a strong farming community, favourable climatic conditions, and proximity to major markets like Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru.

The Collector emphasized the need to expand crop areas based on market demand for popular varieties, such as Kesar and Alphonso mangoes, and to develop disease-tolerant varieties of sweet orange and pomegranate. For tomatoes, he mentioned introducing dual-purpose varieties and trellising techniques. He also highlighted the importance of educating farmers on modern techniques, including precision agriculture and integrated pest management.

With these efforts, Chetan hopes that proper attention will definitely boost the district’s horticulture yield, and it will provide immense opportunity to farmers to increase their income and make them economically sound.