The Andhra Pradesh government has prepared the ground for exporting the Banginapalli mango variety cultivated in the Nuzvid region to countries in Asia and western Europe, including Germany, from this summer.
Nearly 100 acres of mango orchards from the Reddigudem area in the Nuzvid division in Krishna district have been identified for export by roping in farmers and exporters.
“The first strategic meet, attended by farmers, exporters, and experts from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has chalked out possibilities for export of the Banginapalli variety to Asia and Europe [Germany],” Horticulture Department Assistant Director B. Dayakar Babu told The Hindu .
The farmers are being guided by experts from the Command Area Development Programme, APEDA, and the exporters on exporting standards, methods of cultivation, ripening methods, and preferences of fertilizers to be acceptable by the importing countries.
Centre’s aid
“Identification of mango orchards and registration of farmers with the APEDA have been completed. A fund of ₹7 crore has been granted by the Union government for developing the export chain system, which includes creating storage godowns and capacity building for farmers,” said Mr. Babu.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency is the funding agency that has signed the agreement with the Central government for the development of infrastructure and livelihood options to address poverty.
Horticulture officials say the State government will connect the farmer to the exporting agency or individual, exploring the export options for the local mango farmers.
The ‘Farmer Producers’ Organisations’ have been formed, allowing the farmers to trade their produce collectively. Majority of the mango orchards identified for the exporting initiative are under micro irrigation system.
