Horticulture development in suburbs facing odds due to urbanisation

VISAKHAPATNAM: Efforts are on to enhance horticultural cultivation in the Padmanabham, Anandapuram, Bheemunipatnam and Pendurthi mandals in this region.

The objective is to develop these crops using 60 per cent central funds and 40 per cent state funds under a central-government scheme, the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.

District horticulture officer K Satyanarayana told Deccan Chronicle, “Despite the offer of financial support and a structured planning, farmers in these areas are more interested in cultivating vegetables, fruits and flowers. "Perennial crops such as mango, cashew, coconut, and palm oil thrive well in this coastal zone. But farmers are reluctant to raise these crops because they take time to yield fruit."

The ongoing process of urbanisation here is impacting land use patterns. These farms are mostly situated on the city's outskirts. The reluctance to invest in perennial crops stems from feelings that these farmlands would not remain so for long due to fast-paced urban development in the region. Agricultural land is largely taken up for residential, commercial and industrial purposes.

To improve agricultural diversification and enhance economic outcomes for farmers, the government is focusing on nine methods: introducing modern ways of vegetable cultivation, expanding palm oil plantations, establishing orchards, digging water ponds, creating flower gardens, developing pack houses and ripening chambers, providing subsidised machinery to farmers and promoting perennial crops.

Additional steps, such as developing industries and cold storage, forming and strengthening farmer producer organisations and issuing Rythu Bazar cards to ensure affordable pricing for their crops are also under way.

However, urbanisation presents major challenges. Many farmers hesitate to commit themselves to long-term perennial crops due to the rapidly changing land dynamics.

Local farmer A Narasiah told Deccan Chronicle, "With urban development eating up agricultural lands, it is difficult to invest in long-term crops that take years to yield returns. We are uncertain about the future availability of our land for agriculture.”

Many farmers opined that the government's efforts are commendable. However, regulating the process of urbanisation with long-term plans is crucial for implementing horticultural development programmes. Balancing development with agriculture ensures that farming communities benefit from such initiatives without undermining their livelihoods, they say.

As the state continues to urbanise, creating policies supporting sustainable farming practices is vital. This will give farmers the confidence to invest in long-term crops, enabling the region to achieve its horticultural development goals while preserving its agricultural heritage, it is noted.