The mango production in 2024-25 was 1052198.43 Metric Tonnes, the Horticulture department said.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
The proposed vapour heat treatment and irradiation centre near the international airport in Shamshabad on outskirts of Hyderabad, to boost mango and other fruit exports from the State, would cut the costs incurred by farmers in transporting their fruit produce to Maharashtra, Karnataka and other States which have such centres. The fruits are sent there to make the lot suitable for export.
Besides, the farmers said that people who deal with transportation of the fruits to the centres in other States sometimes claim damage to the produce, which makes farmers lose money. This too can be cut down.
In 2024-25, the mango orchards in Telangana were spread over 3.30 lakh acres and bearing area was 2.78 lakh acres, with the highest in Jagtial. The mango production was 1052198.43 Metric Tonnes, as per information from the Horticulture Department. Currently, mangoes from various parts of the State are exported to other States. Only a few farmers here export mangoes to other countries.
Apart from the centres, Agriculture Department Secretary K. Surendra Mohan said that the department is preparing to provide facilities with a cold chain capacity of 50 lakh tonnes and an additional warehousing capacity of 50 lakh metric tonnes.
Procedure can be used for various vegetables, fruits, flowers and spices
The irradiation treatment helps in making fruits, vegetables pest and disease free, which is needed to export them to other countries, Joint Director of the Horticulture Department B. Babu said. This can be used for other horticulture crops — various vegetables, fruits, flowers and spices. Mango leaves too are exported to other countries.
“If such a centre is set up near the airport, we can supervise the transportation and bring down the damage after harvest and during transportation,” said Sudhakar Rao Kethireddypally, a mango farmer from Mahabubnagar. He sent some mangoes from his farm to the USA this year, which got a good price.
Other resources which helps in boosting exports
Welcoming the initiative, Srinivas Rao Madhavaram, founder and director from Deccan Exotics FPO in Sangareddy, said that a few more facilities too would help farmers in exporting fruits or vegetables. Quality planting material (seeds), awareness on Good Agriculture Practices — which pesticides have to be used and avoided — following international norms, will be of help. “Solar based cold rooms at farm levels, collection centres where grading, packing and sorting of fruits can be taken up and pack houses too will help in boosting fruit exports,” said Mr. Srinivas.
Published – December 26, 2025 10:36 pm IST
