Long perceived as a rugged and drought prone region, Rayalaseema is now emerging as a flourishing floriculture hub. Aromatic flowers cultivated here are spreading their fragrance across temples, weddings, and major festivals throughout South India.
Farmers in Kurnool, Nandyal, Kadapa, Anantapur, and Sri Sathya Sai districts are steadily shifting from traditional and water-intensive crops to floriculture. They are finding marigold, chrysanthemum, rose, jasmine, and crossandra more profitable, given the vagaries of the region's weather conditions.
Horticulture officials say the shift from grains to flowers in Rayalaseema is being driven by better income and lower water requirements. Nandyal District Horticulture Officer A. Nagaraju said, "Floriculture in Rayalaseema has steadily grown around 10 percent to 13 percent over the last five years. Farmers are increasingly switching to cultivation of flowers, as they require less water and offer higher returns compared to conventional crops. The region is gradually transforming into a horticulture hub."
Farmers on the ground say growing flowers is more beneficial. Bode Peddanna, a farmer from Chagalamarri, said, "I cultivated chrysanthemum on two acres this year. The yield had been very good. Income from flowers is much higher than other crops"
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