Boosting Horticulture in Andhra Pradesh’s Coastal Mandals: Balancing Growth with Agricultural Heritage

Efforts are underway to increase horticultural cultivation in the Padmanabham, Anandapuram, Bheemunipatnam, and Pendurthi mandals of Andhra Pradesh. With support from the Central government’s Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, the initiative is being funded through a 60-40 split between central and state funds, aimed at promoting diversified agriculture.

District horticulture officer K. Satyanarayana highlighted the support available for farmers, noting, “Despite financial aid and structured planning, farmers lean towards cultivating vegetables, fruits, and flowers, rather than long-term crops like mango, cashew, and coconut that thrive in this coastal region.” The challenge lies in farmers’ reluctance to grow perennial crops due to the extended time they take to yield results and the uncertainty brought by rapid urbanization.

Urban expansion has increasingly encroached on agricultural lands, converting farmland on the outskirts of cities into residential, commercial, and industrial areas. “With urban development eating up agricultural lands, investing in long-term crops is difficult as we’re unsure if our farmland will remain for agriculture,” said local farmer A. Narasiah.

To support and modernize farming, the government is working on a nine-point plan, including expanding vegetable cultivation methods, encouraging palm oil plantations, setting up orchards, digging water ponds, creating flower gardens, developing pack houses, ripening chambers, providing subsidized machinery, and promoting perennial crops. Additional efforts like establishing cold storage facilities, supporting farmer producer organizations, and issuing Rythu Bazar cards aim to ensure fair pricing for farmers’ crops.

While these initiatives are commendable, balancing urban growth with sustainable agriculture is crucial for successful horticultural development. Local farmers suggest that to protect their livelihoods, long-term policies that manage urbanization and foster sustainable farming are essential. With a supportive framework, farmers will feel more confident in investing in long-term crops, achieving horticultural growth while preserving Andhra Pradesh’s rich agricultural heritage.