AP
anaar farmers to serve a bigger helping to EU
HYDERABAD:
Pomegranates from Andhra Pradesh are set to increase their presence
in EU in the near future, as more farmers in the state are taking
to pomegranate farming in a big way and targeting EU markets.
As
of now, a mere three to five containers of pomegranates, each containing
around 15 tonne, are shipped to these countries.
Encouraged
by good demand for the fruit in EU countries, particularly in Holland,
coupled with the state government’s support in the form of subsidies,
a large number of farmers in districts like Ananthapur, Adilabad,
Mahabubnagar, and Ranga Reddy have taken up its cultivation on a large-scale.
Around
30,000 acres are estimated to have been brought under its cultivation
in the state in the recent past, including a 200-acre pomegranate
farm in Medak district, which is said to be the largest in the country.
The second largest, stretching up to 120 acres, is in Maharashtra.
“Yes,
I have taken up the pomegranate farming after coming to know about
the demand it enjoys in overseas markets, particularly in EU countries,”
Srinivasa Reddy, owner of the largest farm, told ET.
According
to him, export season for the fruits in EU countries starts in December
and goes up to March, and the domestic season begins in July and ends
in September.
“Though
we are mainly targeting export markets, there is also enough demand
for the fruits even in domestic markets. So, I see no problem in marketing
the fruits, “ said Mr Reddy, who hopes to start exporting some fruits
in November this year and reach his full export potential in a year
or two.
Exporters
of horticulture products in the state are, naturally, happy with the
rapid increase in area under pomegranate crop and hope to make the
best use of the expected rise in production in the coming years.
“I
exported small quantities of pomegranates during last season on an
experimental basis and found the demand and price in the EU attractive.
I
will certainly increase the export volume, if the production of quality
pomegranates goes up in the state,” said Mr G V K Naidu, a leading
exporter.
M ENOSH JEREMIAH
TIMES
NEWS NETWORK [ WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2003 03:33:12 AM ]
