Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi Highlights Avocado Farming, Cites Andhra Farmer
30 Aug 2026 1:13 PM IST30 Aug 2026 1:13 PM IST
Varadaraj has so far produced nearly four tonnes of avocados and now supplies them directly to local shops. "The new crop, scientific advice, and direct marketing have completely transformed the earnings from his small farm," the Prime Minister said.
"The avocado fruit is creating quite a buzz these days. Hardly anyone knew about this fruit in the past; both its value and demand were low, but today it is frequently seen on dining tables," the Prime Minister said. (Image By Arrangement)
KURNOOL: Once known for its dry climate and limited cropping options, Rayalaseema is gradually emerging as a hub for high-value horticulture -- with farmers successfully experimenting with crops such as apples and avocados.
The growing popularity of avocado cultivation received national attention when Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Kadapa farmer Varadaraj during his Mann Ki Baat programme on Sunday and appreciated his efforts.
Following Varadaraj, several other farmers in the region have also shown interest in cultivating the high-value fruit.
Rayalaseema, often described as the “fruit bowl of Andhra Pradesh”, is now having the cultivation of apples, avocados, dates and dragon fruit. Farmers in Kadapa, Nandyal and Anantapur districts are increasingly raising unconventional horticultural crops.
A decade ago, apple cultivation was largely associated with cold regions such as Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. However, farmers in parts of Rayalaseema are now experimenting with the crop along with avocado, which has a growing demand in urban markets.
Nandyal farmer S Murali, from Gajulapalle village in Mahanandi mandal, took up avocado cultivation after studying the crop for nearly six months. He procured quality saplings from Bengaluru before starting cultivation.
“Avocados have high demand in cities and the prices are encouraging. The initial investment is around `1.50 lakh per acre. However, I expect good returns in the long run,” Murali said.
Farmers in Mahanandi mandal have also begun experimenting with apple cultivation. While the crop was earlier grown only in limited pockets such as Marthadu village in Anantapur district, farmers in Nandyal are now trying to have apple orchards under local conditions.
Farmers say both apple and avocado require comparatively less water and can adapt to Rayalaseema’s climatic conditions if water supply is managed efficiently.
Murali said he had dug a farm pond with a storage capacity of nearly one crore litres of water for an acre. The facility, he said, has helped improve the groundwater level significantly while ensuring water availability for the crops.
The combination of farmers’ initiative, scientific cultivation practices and governmental support is making Nandyal district an example of how high-value horticulture can be promoted in drought-prone areas.
“Farmers are showing increasing interest in new crops after seeing the results of apple and avocado cultivation. This could encourage more farmers in Rayalaseema to diversify into high-value horticultural crops,” said U Nagaraju, Nandyal district horticulture officer.
Though avocado and apple cultivation in Kadapa, Nandyal and Anantapur is still at an emerging stage, the growing interest among farmers is gaining wide attention.
Following Varadaraj, several other farmers in the region have also shown interest in cultivating the high-value fruit.
Rayalaseema, often described as the “fruit bowl of Andhra Pradesh”, is now having the cultivation of apples, avocados, dates and dragon fruit. Farmers in Kadapa, Nandyal and Anantapur districts are increasingly raising unconventional horticultural crops.
A decade ago, apple cultivation was largely associated with cold regions such as Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. However, farmers in parts of Rayalaseema are now experimenting with the crop along with avocado, which has a growing demand in urban markets.
Nandyal farmer S Murali, from Gajulapalle village in Mahanandi mandal, took up avocado cultivation after studying the crop for nearly six months. He procured quality saplings from Bengaluru before starting cultivation.
“Avocados have high demand in cities and the prices are encouraging. The initial investment is around `1.50 lakh per acre. However, I expect good returns in the long run,” Murali said.
Farmers in Mahanandi mandal have also begun experimenting with apple cultivation. While the crop was earlier grown only in limited pockets such as Marthadu village in Anantapur district, farmers in Nandyal are now trying to have apple orchards under local conditions.
Farmers say both apple and avocado require comparatively less water and can adapt to Rayalaseema’s climatic conditions if water supply is managed efficiently.
Murali said he had dug a farm pond with a storage capacity of nearly one crore litres of water for an acre. The facility, he said, has helped improve the groundwater level significantly while ensuring water availability for the crops.
The combination of farmers’ initiative, scientific cultivation practices and governmental support is making Nandyal district an example of how high-value horticulture can be promoted in drought-prone areas.
“Farmers are showing increasing interest in new crops after seeing the results of apple and avocado cultivation. This could encourage more farmers in Rayalaseema to diversify into high-value horticultural crops,” said U Nagaraju, Nandyal district horticulture officer.
Though avocado and apple cultivation in Kadapa, Nandyal and Anantapur is still at an emerging stage, the growing interest among farmers is gaining wide attention.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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