Quality Seeds, Promising Returns: Telangana Farmer Earns ₹80,000–₹90,000 from Summer Ridge Gourd Cultivation

ICAR-IIHR’s support under the Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters helps strengthen summer vegetable cultivation across Telangana

For Shri Anjaneyulu, a farmer from Kondareddypally village in Keshampet Mandal of Rangareddy district, Telangana, summer 2026 brought encouraging returns from ridge gourd cultivation. With quality seeds supplied by ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, to the Department of Horticulture, Government of Telangana, under the Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters (VIUC), he harvested approximately six tonnes of ridge gourd and earned an estimated net profit of ₹80,000–₹90,000.

The crop performed well during the summer season, with no significant pest or disease problems reported. Supported by good market demand, Shri Anjaneyulu sold his produce at prices ranging from ₹25 to ₹35 per kilogram. After meeting all cultivation expenses, he earned a substantial return, demonstrating the potential of summer vegetable cultivation when backed by quality seeds and favourable market conditions.

His experience reflects the broader objective of VIUC, implemented by the Government of Telangana to promote vegetable cultivation and expand the area under vegetables during the summer season. Under the initiative, ICAR-IIHR supplied vegetable seed kits to the State Department of Horticulture for distribution among farmers across 11 districts. The programme covered 8,888 acres and reached approximately 71,000 beneficiaries, helping improve access to quality vegetable seeds.

For Shri Anjaneyulu, the initiative provided an opportunity to cultivate ridge gourd with encouraging results. He expressed his gratitude to the Department of Horticulture, Telangana, for supplying the seeds and encouraging him to take up the crop.

His success highlights how access to quality seeds, coupled with institutional support and market demand, can create profitable opportunities for farmers. It also underscores ICAR-IIHR’s contribution to strengthening state-led horticultural programmes through the supply of vegetable seeds and the role of the Department of Horticulture, Telangana, in connecting farmers with these resources. The experience offers an encouraging example of how coordinated efforts between agricultural research institutions and state departments can support summer vegetable production, improve farm returns and promote livelihood opportunities for farmers.

The experience of Shri Anjaneyulu demonstrates how access to seeds, favourable crop performance and market demand can contribute to improved farm income.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru)