Apple Melon is new flavour of the season

Pithapuram (East Godavari): Apple Melon, Yellow Queen and Yellow King are the new watermelon varieties which hit the market this season. Three young horticulturists have set a trend in cultivation of watermelon in the region by introducing the new varieties of the fruit.

• 3 youths prove horticulture is more lucrative
• Own marketing helps them reap good profits

V Veerababu of Gollaprolu, AVG Prasad of Visakhapatnam and S Prasanna Kumar of Vizianagaram are friends. The trio who worked in an agricultural company, took up horticulture after quitting their jobs.

They took 19 acres of land on lease at Chinna Jaggampeta and started raising fruits and vegetables by adopting modern methods of cultivation. They got seeds of various high yielding varieties of fruits and vegetables from Taiwan and sowed them in their horticultural farm.

Apple Melon, Yellow Queen and Yellow King are the three varieties of watermelon they are cultivating in their farm, besides pineapple, papaya, tomato, cucumber, banana and other crops. To get maximum profits, the trio are marketing the fruits and vegetables grown in the farm on their own under the brand name Udyan horticultural products.

The new varieties of watermelon available in malls and supermarkets are a big hit. Apple Melon tastes like a green apple. It can be eaten like a guava fruit without removing its rind. Apple Melon needs an investment of Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000 per acre. The horticulturist can reap an income of Rs 1.75 lakh if the crop yield is good. There is a good demand for Apple Melon, which is popular as a summer fruit.

Yellow Queen looks attractive in yellow and gold shade. Its flesh is red in colour and it is sweeter than common variety watermelons with less seed and more flesh. On an average, each fruit weighs 10 kg and it fetches a price of Rs 100 in the market.

Yellow King which is thick green, attains a weight of 15 kg. Its flesh is yellow in colour and tastes like cheese. The variety of fruit is used for making juice. It is also good for eating. Modern agricultural methods like drip irrigation and good crop management practices are essential to reap a bumper harvest sowing the imported seeds in local climatic conditions.

Speaking to The Hans India, the young horticulturists said: ``We reached an understanding with famous malls and supermarkets in the State to sell our horticultural products. By eliminating the role of middlemen, we are reaping good profits.’’

The trio who proved that horticulture is more lucrative if horticulturists are a little more innovative, have already set up farms in East Godavari, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts were watermelon, papaya, banana, tomato and other crops are being raised. They are planning to set up horticultural farms in all districts in the State to expand their business.