VIJAYAWADA: More and more farmers are abandoning traditional crops and opting for commercial crops as they have a huge demand in the international market. The lure of quick money has engulfed farmers of Krishna district, especially those in Nuzvid, who now prefer to cultivate commercial crops like oil palm and red sanders, instead of mango. Nowadays, one can see young red sanders’ trees being grown in the fields in Nuzvid area. The trend of switching over to commercial crops began about 20 years ago, and now, red sanders is being grown in about 10,000 acres in Krishna district alone.
Matta Venkateswara Rao, who took to growing red sanders 20 years ago, said that farmers like him have now formed an association of about 100 members, since the wood is now ready to be cut and sold. “Red sanders has huge demand in the international market and farmers need not approach anyone to sell it,” he said, adding that obtaining the necessary permissions for its sale is also the responsibility of the buyers. “We plant 400 saplings in one acre and every plant will yield 25 kg to 100 kg of wood. A tonne of red sanders fetches a minimum of Rs 10 lakh,” Mr Rao said. Oil palm cultivation is also the new favourite among farmers. As per official reports, oil palm is cultivated in nearly 11,600 hectares in Bapulapadu, Musunuru, Nuzvid and Chatrai mandals.
The government has identified 23 mandals as suitable for oil palm cultivation in the district. Oil palms bear fruit after four years and nearly an initial investment of Rs 25,000 is needed. The plants bear fruit for at least 30 years. “Farmers spend Rs 25,000 annually on oil palm and the returns are Rs 75,000 per annum,” said horticulture department assistant director S. Subhani. He said the department has set a target of 1,500 hectares every year for oil palm cultivation. Three private companies, which have been selected by the government, have started crushing units, Mr Subhani said.
