Nellore Farmers Find New Cash Crop: Aloe Vera

Agriculture & Rural

Posted by AI on 2025-09-16 08:56:39 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-19 12:00:04

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With rising cultivation costs and inadequate crop prices, small and marginal farmers in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, are switching to alternative commercial and horticultural crops. Among these farmers, Aloe Vera has recently gained popularity as a cash crop, owing to its medicinal properties and use in cosmetics. Despite requiring low water irrigation, Aloe Vera is yielding positive profits for farmers.

The horticulture department also encourages farmers to cultivate Aloe Vera on a larger scale. Aloe Vera cultivation is prevalent in Podalakuru, Saidapuram, and AS Peta mandals of the district. Farmers initially tested the crop on a small scale alongside other crops, but higher yields with lower investment prompted them to expand.

Now, with increased Aloe Vera cultivation, processing units have even been established in the region. There are two functioning Aloe Vera-based industries in Inkurthi village of Podalakuru mandal and Minagallu village of Butchireddy Palem mandal.

One farmer, Pasupuleti Muni Kishore of Podalakuru mandal, notes that compared to other crops, Aloe Vera is notably resistant to pest attacks and can withstand adverse weather conditions. He believes that Aloe Vera is immensely beneficial for small and marginal farmers, providing better returns on less investment than traditional crops like paddy.

Farmers in Podalakuru mandal, who typically cultivate lemon gardens, are increasingly interested in Aloe Vera cultivation instead.

According to Muni Kishore, it took only two years to earn Rs 70,000 after investing Rs 25,000 in cultivating Aloe Vera. The average yield per acre is six tonnes, with one tonne of produce fetching Rs 3,500.

Pharmaceutical and cosmetic units directly procure the crop from farmers, offering a better price. As more farmers turn to Aloe Vera cultivation, the district's agricultural landscape is shifting towards this profitable new cash crop.

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