Growing demand for figs in Anantapur

Rayadurg (Anantapur): There is huge demand for the Asiatic origin fruit fig (Anjuram) being cultivated in Israel, Spain, Turkey and America and other Western countries. The plantation was taken up on an experimental basis by coastal farmers hailing from Guntur and Krishna districts in Rayadurg region in about 200 acres.

Highlights:

• Farmers have experimented with cultivation of fruit in Kanekal in LB Nagar area as it is less susceptible to pests and reaches fruit-bearing stage in just 7-8 months
• Horticulture Deputy Director Subbarayudu says the acreage has increased from 200 acres to 2,000 acres in less than two years in the district

What started off in just 200 acres have now boomed into nearly 2,000 acres. Earlier, the figs were imported from Garden city of Bengaluru and the fruit was widely consumed by locals. Ever since farmers started cultivating what is called the desert fruit, its demand is being met by local farmers.

Sensing the huge demand for figs in local market and consumption of fruit, farmers have experimented with cultivation of fruit in Kanekal in LB Nagar area and have succeeded in growing the fruit. The farmers have raised the plant in 350 acres of land and have found it to be highly beneficial as it is less susceptible to pests and reaches fruit-bearing stage in just 7-8 months.

Farmer and a church pastor Jeevaratnam raising fig plantation in 10 acres of land in LB Nagar in Kanekal mandal says a single plant yields 20-30 kg of figs and about 500-1,000 fruits.

Stating that the figs are selling at Rs 50-60 a kilo, he said 400 plants each costing Rs 12 could be planted in one acre. It would cost Rs 5,000 per acre to plant 400 plants, he added.

Choudhury, another farmer, is growing figs in 20 acres of land. Even if the wholesale value of figs is a minimum Rs 20 per kilo, one can earn Rs 1.60 lakh per acre. Moreover, figs can be harvested continuously twice a week and it is the most remunerative fruit among horticulture crops, he adds.

Those growing crop in 10 acres of land earns on an average Rs 15 lakh for a single harvest. In just eight months, farmers start getting income on their investment.
Speaking to The Hans India, Horticulture Deputy Director Subbarayudu said that as of now there is a huge market for the highly nutritious fruit.

The acreage has increased from 200 acres to 2,000 acres in less than two years in the district, he said and added fruit from here is being exported to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Vijayawada and even to other metros. Fig tree is low in calories and 100 grams of fresh fruit carry only 74 calories, which contain health benefits including soluble dietary fibre, minerals, vitamins and pigment antioxidants that contribute immensely towards optimum health and wellness.

Dried figs are an excellent source of minerals, vitamins and higher concentrations of energy. In fact, 100 grams of dried fig provide 249 calories. The plantations are spread in Mullange, Kolipara and LB Nagar in Kanekal mandal. Vijay, another educated farmer says that he is trying this crop in his 10-acre land in Garladinne.

The department of horticulture is extending a subsidy of Rs 12,000 per hectare in first year and Rs 4,000 per hectare in second year and a similar amount in third year.