The farmers in Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh give priority to paddy and other green crops. However, with profit in mind, the farmers have shifted to Papaya plantations due to high investments in rice crops, non-availability of labourers, low yield and duration of cultivation. The farmers in the Godavari district are choosing papaya plantations to get more profit with less investment.
Before planting the papaya, the farmers are required to select good seeds. In over one acre field, seeds are sown in the ground. After planting, the proper amount of water is supplied and organic fertilizers are carefully cultivated for 3 to 4 months until the papaya fruit changes color and ripens.
It takes three months for the papaya fruit to mature. The bottom fruit is most likely to ripen first. The papaya seeds obtained are being exported to other states. It is also sold in the local market. With an investment of Rs 2 lakh per acre, the farmers of Godavari district cultivate papaya in two to three months to earn a reported profit of Rs 3-5 lakh.
Farmers claim that papaya plantations are profitable now due to high demand from other states as well as other regions. When the papaya skin starts turning yellow then it means that it has ripened. Although they are hard, they can be used for cooking. You have to wait until the fruit is completely yellow-orange to eat raw. Once the fruit begins to turn yellow then wait for a few days for it to get mature and fall off the tree. Farmers believe that 90-95% turmeric tastes best when it is on the tree for as long as possible.
Farmers of the Godavari district are choosing these papaya plantations to get more profit with less investment per acre. One acre is invested from Rs 2 lakh and they are getting a profit of Rs 3-4 lakh per acre. Due to the use of less organic fertilizers for this papaya crop, the export is reportedly more. These papayas are mostly used in medicine.
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