Latest news with #SriKondaLaxmanTelanganaHorticulturalUniversity
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
GI application filed for Balanagar Custard Apple
Balanagar Custard Apple, a custard apple variety that grows wild in three districts of Telangana, has been pitchforked for a Geographical Indications tag on Monday. A filing with the Geographical Indications Registry shows the application number 1569 filed on behalf of three farm-based organisations, including a farm produced company, an agriculture cooperative society, and horticulture university. 'We identified the uniqueness of the variety by analysing the micro and macro nutrients found in the custard apple that is grown in five mandals of Mahbubnagar, three mandals of Rangareddy and three mandals of Vikarabad. Because of the rocky terrain and weathering, the nutrient profile of the Balanagar custard apple is different,' said Saidaiah Pidigam of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University. The scientific documentation of the fruit's unique agro-morphological characteristics shows how its cultivation in a non-commercial manner in areas that are not irrigated marks it out. 'Irrigation and use of fertilizer makes the custard apple insipid. As the Balanagar variety grows in only rain-fed areas, its flavour profile is robust,' informed Saidaiah Pidigam. The application was filed by GI practitioner Subhajit Saha of Resolute4IP on behalf of Pomal Farmer Producer Company Limited, Balanagar Farmer Producer Company Limited, and The Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society, with funding support from NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development). 'The GI tag is expected to provide legal protection, strengthen brand identity, and open premium domestic and international market access for the Balanagar Custard Apple,' informed Mr. Saha.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Rain brings down sweetness of mangoes; farmers hope sun will shine on them
The intermittent rain and forecast for more in Telangana for the next few days is a cause for concern for mango farmers in Mahabubnagar, as the prominent varieties of the fruit cultivated in the State are harvested in the third and fourth week of May. Usually, water supply to the trees is stopped by May 1. But, when it rains in this month, the trees or plants absorb water leading to an increase in water content in fruits. This decreases the sweetness of mangoes, said A. Bhagwan, Registrar of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University. Harvest season for 3 varieties Dasheri mango is harvested by May first week. Himayat, Banganapalli and Kesar are harvested by month-end. Since this is the harvest season for mangoes, rains can impact a lot, say farmers. Fruit flies, which lay eggs on the fruits, and honey-hoppers are also a bigger problem, said Sudhakar Rao Kethireddypally, who has a mango farm in Kethireddypally of Balanagar mandal in Mahabubnagar. Traders cashing in Since rain is predicted in the State in the next few days, some farmers are thinking of harvesting them soon. When a lot of farmers do this, supply increases in the market and brings down the price. 'The moment I called a trader, he said a lot of farmers called him,' said Muralidhar Reddy, a farmer from Balanagar. Government should take steps to ensure we get the minimum price for the produce, he said. If a farmer chooses to harvest mangoes after rain, they have to be careful in checking when it ripens. A mango harvested when it is dry will last for eight days. And, when harvested after rain, they begin to rot after four to five days. So traders have to be cautious and plan the sale accordingly. Mr. Bhagwan said that since this is peak harvest season for Banganapalli variety, supply increases and brings down the prices. Some farmers harvest up to June 10 or later, hoping for better prices. Though there is a forecast of early onset of monsoon, Mr. Reddy hoped that rains would stop in the first week of June and there would be sunny days.
