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Telangana boosts avocado cultivation to meet rising demand and improve farmer profits

In response to the global surge in demand for avocados, attributed to their health benefits, Telangana, India, is witnessing an uptick in its cultivation by forward-thinking farmers. Avocados, also known as butter fruit, are celebrated for their creamy texture, rich flavor, and nutritional profile, including healthy fats, antioxidants, and an array of vitamins and minerals. Despite the current reliance on imports to satisfy consumer demand, local cultivation efforts are underway. The Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University has announced plans to commence avocado research at their Sangareddy facility. The state's horticulture department has set a target to promote avocado cultivation across 20 hectares by the 2024-25 season.

Dr. Marri Raja Sekhar, dean of horticulture at the university, highlighted the crop's potential, noting its higher yield per acre compared to mangoes and its retail price ranging from $5 to $6.25 per kg. Avocado oil, comparable to olive oil, is priced at approximately $18.75 per liter, finding uses in both the culinary and cosmetic industries. Recent data from the American Heart Association underscored avocados' role in reducing heart attack risk by 30%. Dr. G. Srinivas of Deccan Exotics, an entity that cultivates avocados on 40 acres in Sangareddy and facilitates farmer training, emphasized the international demand for avocados. He noted the strategic advantage Indian farmers have due to the crop's harvest season, which aligns with off-peak periods in other regions.

Local market insights from Imran Khan of Ratan Fruit Shop reveal a preference for imported avocados, priced between $6.25 and $8.75 per kg, over native varieties, which sell for $3.12 to $3.75. However, subsidies provided by the horticulture department, amounting to $225 in the first year and $75 in subsequent years per hectare, are encouraging more farmers to engage in avocado cultivation. Jaipal Ramavath, a local farmer, shared that his avocado farm yields profits between $2,000 and $2,500 per acre, underscoring the crop's economic viability.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

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