In AP, poor man's apple to remain dearer for next two seasons

In guava, sapling to fruit bearing period is around 3-4 years and hence it will take some more time for fresh orchards to bear fruit

The price of guava, dubbed as the poor man’s apple, would stay high in Andhra Pradesh (AP) for the next two seasons as the net area under cultivation is low compared with the high demand in the market.

The area under the guava orchards has been stagnant at 4,000 hectare (ha) in the state for the last two years. This was due to felling of the fruit-bearing trees in 10,000 ha under private lease following a plant disease in 2009-10. With the loss of production, retail prices in the state rose from Rs 14-20 in 2010 to Rs 35-40 now. Last year, the retail price was at Rs 25-30.

In the neighbouring Maharashtra, while the mandi rate for normal variety in the Solapur market is quoting at Rs 1,700 per quintal, the retail price is at Rs 22-25 per kg. The lowest price in the state is Rs 750 per quintal in Amaravati. In Himachal Pradesh, the mostly preferred normal variety is ruling at Rs 2500-3,000, as on December 11.

According to the Andhra Pradesh Horticulture Society, fruit-bearing trees that are not left to dry during the off-season period usually become vulnerable to common diseases from February to August.

Against the recommended six-month dry period in guava, “commercial contractors had been feeding the fruit-bearing trees with water to extract produce throughout the year,” said Janardhana Rao, vice-chairman of the executive body of the state horticulture society.

In guava, the sapling-to-the-fruit-bearing period is 3-4 years and hence it will take some more time for the fresh orchards to bear fruit.

The production per ha is normally 6-7 tonne. A fully-grown plant has a life cycle of 25 years.

Every year, guava flowering starts in September. One can get fruit till February. By 2015, the cultivated area in the state is expected to touch around 14,000 ha. The popular varieties are Allahabad safeda, Koheer safeda and Lucknow 49.

Telangana and Rayalaseema regions in the state produce a major share of the fruit. A small amount of it is even produced in the interior regions of coastal districts. In India, it is predominantly available in the plain regions. Uttar Pradesh accounts for the major produce.

Against the consumer price of Rs 30-40 per kg, the farm gate price is hovering at Rs 5-8. Farmers attribute it to the presence of market middlemen. However, farmers close to Hyderabad, mostly from Ranga Reddy, Medak, Nizamabad, Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar districts are selling directly to the retailers in the city to extract better price.