Custard apple, a good source of revenue for farmers in winter 

​Adilabad: Farmers of the district have been earning good revenue selling custard apples, which they gather from forests. Each basket of the fruit, which has several medicinal properties, is selling between Rs 300 and Rs 400. The input costs in raising the custard apple garden are practically nil.

It may be recalled that the horticulture department supplied custard apple sees to farmers and encouraged them to raise the garden in forest lands. The farmers are gathering the fruit from the forest areas and selling them making a killing. The demand for custard apples grown here is very high.

The fruit is taken to far-away places like Hyderabad on trains and buses. Consumers like the fruit very much as it is naturally grown without using chemicals.

According to a tribal farmer Lakshmi, the tribal farmers are earning profit selling each basket anywhere between Rs 300 and Rs 400. A tribal farmer Jayavantha Rao said speaking to The Hans India that custard apple became good source of income for them during winter.

The fruit has many health benefits. It is rich in vitamin C, it cures skin diseases like boils and very beneficial to people suffering from anaemia. Besides, it is good sources of potassium and vitamin B6.

According to Dr Ramesh, the fruit is loaded with all ingredients that are useful in improving the eye-sight among those who are suffering from diminishing of vision. It is also helpful in curing diarrhoea.

He said that the fruit has properties to improve physical appearance of people. Moreover, the custard apple tree leaves powder has properties to cure skin diseases.

By Thotla Anjaiah