Nurturing livelihood prospects through nurseries

Sangareddy: Greenery prevails all around Peddapur village in Sadasivapet mandal of the district as farmers gave up their loss-making agriculture practices and started growing plants in nurseries. Many farmers irrespective of whether they have 10 acres or a quarter acre are developing nurseries to earn their livelihood. Peddapur nurseries have become popular across the country.

In fact, there are over 200 nurseries growing more than 100 varieties of plants. Small and marginal farmers of the village had earlier practised agriculture and incurred losses due to which they have switched over to developing nurseries. Lakhs of plants from Peddapur are reported to have been supplied for the Haritaharam programme implemented in the neighbouring districts.

Of the over 200 nurseries in the village, 52 are recognised by the government. The total number of plants in all these nurseries is around 1.5 crore. They include fruit-bearing and flower plants. These nurseries have at least 100 varieties of mango, including Benisan, Dasheri, Mallika, Kesari, Totapuri, Peddarasalu, Chinna Rasalu, Suvarna Reka, Royal Special, Cheruku Rasalu.

Guava, pomegranate, lemon, coconut, sweet lemon and other varieties of fruit-bearing trees are also grown here. In addition to these, several flowering and ornamental plants are available in the nurseries. According to Mogilayya, a nursery worker, Narender Goud, owner of a nursery, and other farmers, nurseries are more profitable compared to agriculture. Farmers are seeking more incentives from the government for development of nurseries.

By Ahmed