The Anantapur-SathyaSai districts, which emerged as a 'Fruit Bowl' of Andhra Pradesh, have no proper infrastructure facilities like cold storage facilities, warehouses and processing plants on the lines of Chittoor where there are number of plants for mango and guava processing.
That is why growers and traders claim that a host of facilities and amenities are required for the marketing more than 25 varieties of fruits cultivated in the twin districts. The district needs common facilities where all fruit farmers can connect with processing facilities and export agencies.
The present government also is always talking about infrastructure facilities, but failed to do anything practically. Warehouses are in great demand in the district. Due to inadequate facilities, farmers are indulging in distress sale due to absence of warehouses and cold storages.
The extent of acreage of horticulture plantations include Mango 55,827 hectares, sweet orange 53,331, Banana 16,402, pomegranate 7,519, Papayya 4,646, sapota 4,537, watermelon 4,514, muskmelon 2,065, beera 1,047, grape 1,002, lemons 990, guava 896, amla 81 hectares and other fruits 919 hectares. Total 1,86,695 hectares.
Source: thehansindia.com