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Cocoa bonanza for coconut, oil palm farmers
Cultivation of cocoa as an intercrop in coconut and oil palm plantations has proved lucrative for upland farmers of West Godavari district. According to horticulture officials, cocoa is being raised in coconut and oil palm plantations spread over 32,000 acres in the district.
Eluru: Cultivation of cocoa as an intercrop in coconut and oil palm plantations has proved lucrative for upland farmers of West Godavari district. According to horticulture officials, cocoa is being raised in coconut and oil palm plantations spread over 32,000 acres in the district.
It is being extensively cultivated in Pedavegi, Denduluru, Kamavarapukota, Lingapalem, Jangareddygudem and other mandals. Three big nurseries are located in West Godavari district to supply cocoa plants to cultivators in the State. A cocoa plant is priced at Rs 6.50. The cocoa nurseries are providing employment to about 1,000 workers.
Speaking to The Hans India, Prasada Rao, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Eluru division, highlighted the benefits of cultivating cocoa as an intercrop in coconut orchards and oil palm plantations. About 200 cocoa plants can be raised per acre, which needs an investment of Rs 5,000. A subsidy of Rs 12,000 per hectare is provided to cocoa cultivators by the Horticulture Department.
The cocoa plants give yield throughout the year. On an average, each plant yields 3 kg of cocoa beans. As cocoa is much in demand, farmers will get good income from the crop.’’ Koteswara Rao, a cocoa farmer of Gopannapalem, said: ``I am raising the crop in my 10-acre coconut orchard. I am not facing any investment problem to raise the crop as the government is providing subsidy for it.
I am also getting remunerative price for the produce. Major confectionery companies are directly purchasing cocoa from me when the crop is ready for harvest.’’ Subrahmanyam, owner of a cocoa nursery, said: ``There is a steady rise in the demand for cocoa plants in the district.
More and more coconut and oil palm farmers are evincing interest to raise cocoa as an intercrop to earn additional income. We are also supplying cocoa plants to other parts of the State, which reflects the fact that there is a gradual increase in the crop acreage.’’
By B Muralidhar
