Vegetable crop farming lacks support

Lack of encouragement from the government through various schemes, poor marketing facilities, farmers’ inability to adopt new techniques and rising investment are the reasons for cultivation of vegetable in less extent.

 

In the district, all other crops are being cultivated in an extent of 6.50 lakh acres but vegetable crops are being grown only in an extent of 6, 500 acres, which is less than one per cent as against the total cultivated area.

 

As a result, vegetable prices are very high even in rainy season which is favourable for its production. Tomato is being sold at Rs 30 per kg, brinjal at Rs 35, beans at Rs 45, gherkins at Rs 35, angular gourds at Rs 35 and carrot at Rs 45.

 

“To cater to the needs at rythu bazaars, vegetables are being purchased from other districts even in the current season like tomato from Anakapalli, drumsticks from Vijayawada and green chilli from Tuni,” said marketing assistant director (AD) Y.V. Shyam Kumar. 

 

“Vegetables are being cultivated in less extent in the district which is not at all sufficient to cater to the needs and we are providing 50 per cent subsidy on seeds and providing financial aid to farmers to start mobile rythu bazaars,” said horticulture AD, L. Srinivasa Rao.

 

Investment is high as price of seeds is rising every year. A kg of tomato seeds is Rs 29,000, angular gourds is Rs 3,500 and beetroot Rs 3,500, said farmer I. Raja Rao of Etcherla mandal.