Nandyal targets one lakh hectares for horticulture to boost farmer incomes

The Nandyal district administration in Andhra Pradesh has set a target of expanding horticulture cultivation to one lakh hectares, up from the current 49,000 hectares. According to officials, the move is aimed at stabilising farmer income and promoting rural development in the region.

Nandyal, which lies in the Rayalaseema region, often faces rainfall deficits and limited irrigation facilities. The administration believes that shifting towards horticulture, including high-value crops, can provide farmers with a more dependable income compared to traditional rain-fed agriculture.

Farmers have been advised to take up horticultural crops alongside their existing ones. In addition to traditional fruits such as coconut, orange, mango, guava, custard apple and cashew, the administration is promoting high-value crops including dragon fruit, avocado, fig and apple. These crops are known to fetch better prices in the market and can be grown with relatively less water under suitable conditions.

To support the initiative, the government has introduced assistance under the VB-G RAMG scheme for a period of three years. The support includes pit digging, supply of saplings, fertilisers, and arrangements for adequate water supply. The scheme is open to scheduled caste (SC), scheduled tribe (ST), small and marginal farmers owning land between a quarter-acre and 2.5 acres.

According to officials, farmers enrolled in the scheme will receive a monthly wage of approximately ₹2,200 to ₹2,300 through MGNREGS muster rolls for the maintenance of saplings over three years. Taking this into account, the total government assistance per farmer works out to ₹1.15 lakh.

District Collector Rajakumari Ganiya recently launched a programme to cultivate fruit orchards across 1,000 acres in a single day at Koratamaddi village in Gadivemula Mandal. Speaking on the occasion, she advised farmers to adopt mixed cropping and alternative cultivation methods in view of the rainfall deficit. She noted that low-water-consuming crops could generate additional income even in dry years.

Apart from horticulture, officials are also creating awareness about sowing a mix of nearly 30 varieties of seeds, including leafy vegetables, pulses, oilseeds and millets. This method, they said, helps retain soil moisture and improves crop yields. It is being promoted as a way to make farming more resilient to climate variability.

While the target of one lakh hectares is ambitious, the administration has stated that it will be achieved in a phased manner. The success of the plan will depend on the availability of water for irrigation, market access for the new crops, and the timely delivery of the promised subsidies and technical guidance.

The initiative reflects a broader push towards crop diversification in Andhra Pradesh. With support from schemes like MGNREGS for labour and the VB-G RAMG for inputs, small and marginal farmers are being encouraged to take up horticulture. Whether the target is met will be known in the coming seasons, but the administration has made clear that improving farmer incomes remains a top priority.