AP Doubles Subsidies to Push Horticulture in Srikakulam
4 May 2025 5:26 PM IST4 May 2025 5:26 PM IST
For 2025–26, the government will implement eight major schemes to expand horticulture in the district.
For 2025–26, the government will implement eight major schemes to expand horticulture in the district.
Farmers in Srikakulam district are set to benefit as the Andhra Pradesh government has doubled subsidies for horticultural crops in the 2025–26 financial year.
“This substantial increase will encourage more farmers to shift to horticulture, which offers better returns than traditional crops,” said district horticultural officer Ratnala Varaprasad. At present, 44,250 hectares in the district are under horticultural cultivation, yielding 1.55 lakh metric tonnes annually.
For 2025–26, the government will implement eight major schemes to expand horticulture in the district. Under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), 398 hectares will be covered, while the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) targets 60 hectares.
The National Mission on Edible Oils–Palm Oil (NMEO) will cover 800 hectares; the National Bamboo Mission will target 10 hectares. An additional 3,550 hectares of fallow land will be brought under cultivation.
Further, 100 hectares are earmarked for crop diversification, 1,260 hectares will be developed under the employment guarantee scheme, and 300 hectares will be covered by the Coconut Development Board. In total, 5,678 hectares are to be added, with a budget of Rs 2.62 crore.
Dragon fruit subsidies have seen the sharpest rise—from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1.62 lakh per hectare. Mango subsidies increased from Rs 7,980 to Rs 30,000; cashew from 12,000 to 18,000; guava from Rs 17,599 to Rs 48,000; cocoa from Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000; banana from Rs 30,000 to Rs 42,000; and lime from Rs 9,602 to Rs 30,000 per hectare.
Avocado subsidies rose from Rs 18,000 to Rs 30,000, and floriculture (marigold, chrysanthemum, crossandra) increased from Rs 16,000 to Rs 20,000 per hectare. Hybrid vegetables now attract` 24,000 per hectare, up from Rs 20,000. Subsidies for papaya and pineapple remain unchanged at Rs 18,000 and Rs 26,000, respectively.
All land-owning farmers in the district, including small and marginal farmers, are eligible. Interested farmers can apply through Rythu Seva Kendras with Aadhaar, bank passbook, and land documents. Following field verification, subsidies will be credited directly to their bank accounts.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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