Kurnool To Add 60,000 Hectares Under Horticulture, Says Collector
Collector Siri outlines focus on irrigation, climate-resilient crops and market infrastructure
Kurnool: Horticulture cultivation in Kurnool district, currently spread over around 86,000 hectares, will be expanded by another 60,000 hectares to boost farm incomes and strengthen the horticulture sector.
“We will focus on improving water-use efficiency through drip irrigation, micro-irrigation, fertigation, and farm ponds. Quality planting material will be made available to farmers, who will also be taught modern cultivation practices,” said Kurnool district collector Dr. A. Siri.
Kurnool district currently generates around Rs 6,768 crore from horticulture. The administration plans to increase this Gross Value Added value by expanding the area cultivated under horticulture and improving productivity, quality, and value addition.
Demand-based crops, such as mango, sweet orange, onion, chilli, papaya, vegetables, and flowers will be promoted under the expansion plan. Climate-resilient and drought-tolerant varieties will be encouraged in view of changing weather conditions and the possibility of El Nino conditions continuing.
The collector said pruning and rejuvenation of old orchards will be taken up to improve productivity. Collection centres, pack houses, sorting and grading units, cold-chain facilities, storage centres, and ripening chambers will be developed to provide better market opportunities and prices for horticulture produce.
Around 8,200 hectares in the district are currently covered by drip irrigation. A target of 10,000 hectares has been set for the current year.
Collector Siri said a “Global Horticulture Hub – Rayalaseema Rising” programme will be launched by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Annamayya district on October 2. The initiative aims at promoting integrated development of irrigation, horticulture, processing, marketing, roads, and infrastructure across Rayalaseema.
