Visakhapatnam is waiting to have desired results from the trials conducted by the authorities so that commercially viable exotic fruits can be cultivated here. The horticulture department of Visakhapatnam has already tried planting some fruits such as pears, kiwi, almond, cherries, peach and Japanese persimmon.
The Assistant Director of the Department of Horticulture for Paderu division, G Prabhakara Rao reportedly said that they have planted the saplings of pears, cherries and almonds on a trial basis at the Padmapuram Gardens in Araku Valley. He also said that they had planted apples earlier and were successful. For these fruits, we will have to wait for a couple of years to get the desired results. The climatic condition in Viskha agency is viable for these exotic fruits which are commercially sold across the globe and will be economically helpful to the tribal people, he added.
They are reportedly seeking help from the Shimla-based Dharti Dhan Agro Farms who are experts in organic farming and apple cultivation. The head of Dharti Dhan said that Visakhapatnam agency is 100% viable for pears, kiwi, peach and Japanese persimmon but not good for cherries. Purushothama Rao, an apple grower said that the horticulture department could have planted the saplings in a bigger area for trial basis. He also that, Vizag agency has the potential for growing commercially viable fruits like apple, kiwi and pears but the authorities concerned are not showing much interest in it. He also mentioned that he is personally interested to take up this project in Vizag but he needs at least one acre of land.
Purushothama further said that there is an urgent need to cultivated fruits in Vizag agency to help tribal people and the state also would gain recognition on a global platform which will contribute a large share in the economic development.
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