Big boost for horti as govt doubles subsidies

AMID growing concerns over the viability of traditional crops like chilli, which occupy 46,000 out of 48,000 hectares of horticulture land in Palnadu district, the State government has significantly increased subsidies for horticulture crops for the 2025-26 financial year.

- BANDHAVI ANNAM @Guntur

The move is expected to boost the income of farmers and also horticulture.

Speaking to TNIE, Palnadu District Horticulture Officer (DHO) Ramana Reddy said that over 90,000 farmers are engaged in horticulture in the district, out of which over 85% farmers are involved in chilli cultivation.

However, the plummeting price of various chilli varieties led to widespread losses.