Papaya Cultivation Boosts Farmer Income: Khargone Leads Horticulture Shift

• Papaya cultivation offers higher profits than traditional crops like wheat and chickpea, addressing rising costs and limited returns.
• Khargone district, Madhya Pradesh, is shifting from grain production to horticulture, with papaya grown on 40,000 hectares, providing year-round income.
• Papaya trees yield fruit within 6-8 months and produce continuously for 2-3 years; November-December is ideal for planting.
• Recommended varieties include Red Lady-76, Pusa Dwarf, Pusa Delicious, and Taiwan, with Red Lady-76 being market-preferred.
• Farmers can earn an annual income of 1.5 to 2 lakh rupees per hectare with an initial cost of around 40,000 rupees, yielding 50 kg per plant.

Why It Matters: Papaya farming offers significant, continuous income for farmers, transforming agriculture in regions like Khargone.