Hyderabad: A variety of fruits, each widespread and unique, proceed to be imported into Telangana from different Indian states and overseas. These embrace apples, guavas, oranges, pomegranates, strawberries, grapes, kiwis, avocados and dragon fruits. In line with horticulture officers, apples, dragon fruits and avocados are among the many most imported varieties in recent times. Whereas apples nonetheless arrive in giant portions, native cultivation of dragon fruit and avocado has elevated, led by revolutionary farmers.

Apples are primarily imported from Afghanistan and South Africa, whereas avocados arrive from Mexico, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Tanzania. Dragon fruit, as soon as largely sourced from Vietnam, is now being grown extensively inside Telangana. Different imports embrace Thai guavas, oranges from Egypt and Brazil and pomegranates from Iran and Afghanistan. Inexperienced and gold kiwis are introduced in from New Zealand, Greece, Chile and Iran.

To scale back dependency on imports, native farmers are displaying a rising curiosity in cultivating these fruits. Dragon fruit, as soon as closely imported, is now gaining floor as an area crop. “I began cultivating pink and pink dragon fruit in 2023. Final 12 months, I offered 4 tonnes at `130 per kg. This 12 months, I count on 10 tonnes,” mentioned Bandari Venugopal Rao, a farmer from Jagital district. He added that whereas Telangana soil helps the crop properly, extra watering may result in fungal infections.

Avocado farming can be increasing. Round 30 to 40 farmers in Telangana have taken it up, mentioned Dr Srinivas Rao Madhavaram, director of Deccan Exotics, a farmers’ producer organisation (FPO) in Sangareddy. “We’ve labored on avocado varieties for six and a half years, sourcing crops from Israel, South Africa and California. This isn’t for revenue alone—we’re selling avocados for his or her makes use of in cooking, cosmetics and on account of rising demand,” he mentioned.

Scientists on the Fruit Analysis Station (FRS) in Sangareddy are learning two essential avocado varieties—inexperienced and purple. “The inexperienced kind, with decrease fats content material, is appropriate for Telangana’s local weather. The premium purple kind requires cooler situations and is grown below shade nets. Fruiting usually begins three years after planting,” mentioned Dr Harikanth, a scientist at FRS. He famous that avocado may grow to be the subsequent massive horticulture crop within the state.

The station can be researching ardour fruit. “It’s been grown right here for 20–30 years however is gaining renewed consideration. It’s a vine crop, requires minimal water and begins bearing fruit inside a 12 months,” mentioned Dr Harikanth.
Nonetheless, he noticed that public consciousness of those fruits stays low.

Deccan Exotics can be experimenting with Longan, a tropical fruit just like litchi. It’s presently below cultivation on half an acre and is anticipated to be launched to farmers subsequent 12 months. Longan can tolerate excessive temperatures as much as 44–45°C, although local weather change is affecting yield consistency.

Farmers like Jagtial’s Venugopal Rao are additionally experimenting with different unique varieties. He imported Japanese guava crops final 12 months and is cultivating them on 20 guntas of land on his farm. “These guavas are massive, candy and have only a few seeds. From subsequent 12 months, they’ll be prepared for market,” he mentioned, including that he additionally plans to develop avocados and Thailand coconuts from subsequent 12 months. “I wish to go deep into horticulture and do one thing distinctive, not simply develop for business markets,” he mentioned.

In Nalgonda’s Polepally village, farmer Lokasani Padma Reddy is cultivating Brazil orange, a seedless, juicy selection imported by way of tissue tradition. “We planted it 5 years in the past. The fruit began to come back within the third 12 months, and final 12 months we offered it at Rs. 100 per kg,” he mentioned.

From the provision chain aspect, importers say apples and dragon fruits stay some of probably the most steadily imported fruits. On the Batasingaram fruit market, importer M. Prasad mentioned that apples and pears arrive from South Africa and arrive at Mumbai earlier than reaching Hyderabad. Costs differ relying on measurement and demand, a field of pears prices Rs 1,200-Rs 1,300, whereas apples purchased at Rs 677 per field are offered for Rs 1,269 {dollars}. Bharath Misra, one other importer, brings in inexperienced and gold kiwi from international locations together with New Zealand, Greece, Chile and sells a field for round Rs 2,200.