The district administration announced that, with the aim of stabilising the income of farmers and promoting rural development, the cultivation of horticultural crops would be expanded from the current 49,000 hectares to one lakh hectares.Officials advised the farmers to shift towards cultivation of high-income horticultural crops alongside traditional crops. In addition to traditional fruits like coconut, orange, mango, guava, custard apple, and cashew, the administration is promoting high-value crops such as dragon fruit, avocado, fig, and apple.The officials stated that under the VB-G RAMG scheme, the government would provide support for a period of three years, covering various aspects including pit digging, the supply of saplings, fertilizers, adequate water supply, and more. Eligibility for the scheme extends to SC, ST, small, and marginal farmers owning land ranging from a quarter-acre to 2.5 acres. Officials noted that in addition to the monthly wage of approximately ₹2,200 to ₹2,300 provided through MGNREGS muster rolls for sapling maintenance over three years, farmers would receive total government assistance amounting to ₹1.15 lakh.As part of promoting horticulture crops, District Collector Rajakumari Ganiya had recently launched a programme to cultivate fruit orchards across 1,000 acres in a single day at Koratamaddi village in Gadivemula Mandal. She advised farmers to adopt mixed cropping and alternative cultivation methods, keeping in mind the prevailing rainfall deficit. She noted that cultivating low-water-consuming crops could generate additional income. Officials are also creating awareness about the need to adopt a method of sowing a mix of approximately 30 varieties of seeds, including leafy vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, and millets, which would help retain soil moisture and improve crop yields. Published - July 28, 2026 07:01 pm IST