Several important horticultural crops like Mango, Citrus, Pomegranate, Fig, Dragon fruit and Vegetables are being grown in Telangana. Our farmers are well versed with the cultivation of these crops for getting an export quality produce. Several farmers are even doing this organically after getting requisite certifications.
However, our produce is not able to reach international markets, where our farmers can get better prices. The major intervention needed in this regard is establishment of Pack houses.
These are structures where the harvested produce is pre-cooled, cleaned, graded and packed as per requirements /certifications of the destination market. Such units also contain cold storage facilities to establish a cold chain right from the place of origin of produce to destination.
Ansh Agronomy is one such Pack house facility established by Mr.Anandsagar in the 2019-20 at Chinnarevalli(V), Balanagar(M), Mahabubnagar(Dist), Telangana. They are engaging with local farmers and are able to successfully export mangoes and speciality herbs like Rose mary, Basil, Thyme, Lemon grass etc. to different destinations in Europe. Dr.E.Sreenivasa Rao, Advisor (Horticulture), Govt of Telangana has recently visited this unit and opined that, “Pack houses are a huge investment and entrepreneurship opportunity in the state of Telangana.
Each such unit may cost around Rs.60 Lakhs and we need atleast 100 such units, while we currently have less than 5 in the state. Enterprising youth should enter this field, establish contacts in international markets and connect them to the local small and marginal farmers, following Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). These would help build green businesses and also sustainably improve the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers in the state.
