Andhra Pradesh: Ankapur youths ignore farming

NIZAMABAD: The younger generation of progressive farmers in Ankapur village in Nizamabad district are not showing interest in to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers and embrace agriculture as their line of work.

Most of them are settled in foreign countries and metros in the country for higher studies and employment. For last three decades, Ankapur village has set a record in India with progressive farming.

Interestingly, three generations in each family had struggled hard for innovative farming activities and sustained financial growth so far. Changing lifestyles may adversely affect the agriculture in Ankapur in the near future. Ankapur farmers’ dilemma came into the limelight as they had sown cash crops instead of traditional cultivation of paddy and sugarcane.

Turmeric, red jowar, vegetables and other crops are major agriculture produces in Ankapur village, which is exported to foreign countries and other states in India. The farmers work 24X7 toiling hard on their fields.

In addition, Ankapur villagers stick to the directives of village development committee for self discipline.  Village elders put a strict ban on gambling, liquor and other habits.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is ardent fan of Ankapur village always praises the hard work of villagers in public meetings. He also sanctioned incentives for Ankapur in agriculture equipment.

It is noted that Ankapur is famous for attractive buildings and posh cars. To purse higher education, the younger generation in the families went to Hyderabad, Vijayawada elsewhere.

Speaking to this correspondent, Ankapur resident Palle Ganga Reddy said that younger generation is mostly settled in US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and other  countries.

“Probably we are the last generation to adopt progressive farming in Ankapur” he opined. Replying to a question, he said that there is no alternative to continue our traditional agriculture farming.

Meanwhile, few farmers switched over to other business like construction of godowns and seed factories. On the other hand, farmers and officials from various states and countries are visiting Ankapur to know the progressive farming activities.