Archive · 21 Jul 2026
RARS Promotes Floriculture in Agency Areas
The Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) is encouraging farmers in the Agency areas of Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts to grow flowers like saffron, gladiolus, and marigold.
A private entrepreneur has proposed to start saffron farming on 30 acres, with plans to expand to 3,000 acres in 10 years.
RARS has tested different flowers and found that most, except chrysanthemum, tulip, and hyacinth, grew well.
Saffron can be sold for a high price both in India and abroad.
This is a new way for farmers to make more money, especially since traditional crops like rice and maize are not doing well because of too much rain.
RARS is promoting floriculture in the Agency areas of Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts.
A private entrepreneur plans to cultivate saffron on 30 acres initially, expanding to 3,000 acres over a decade.
RARS conducted trials on various flower crops, with most being successful except chrysanthemum, tulip, and hyacinth.
Saffron cultivation was successful under protected conditions but not in open fields.
The entrepreneur aims to export 75% of the saffron produce to markets like the US, Australia, and the Middle East.
- Who
- Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) and private entrepreneur Choppavarapu Satyanarayana
- What
- Promotion of floriculture and proposed saffron cultivation
- When
- Ongoing with plans for expansion over the next decade
- Where
- Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts
- Why
- To explore alternative high-value crops due to excessive rainfall affecting traditional crop yields
Traditional Crops
Floriculture
Crop Diversity
Traditional Crops
Farmers have traditionally cultivated paddy, maize, groundnut, rajma, and niger, along with horticultural crops like turmeric, ginger, pepper, and coffee.
Floriculture
RARS is promoting high-value floriculture crops such as saffron, gladiolus, tuberose, marigold, China aster, lilium, gerbera, and chrysanthemum.
Yield and Market Potential
Traditional Crops
Traditional crops are well-established and have a stable market within the region.
Floriculture
Floriculture, particularly saffron, offers higher market value and potential for export to international markets.
- Location
- Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts
- Proposed Saffron Cultivation Area
- 30 acres initially, expanding to 3,000 acres over a decade
- Successful Flower Crops
- Saffron, gladiolus, tuberose, marigold, China aster, lilium, gerbera
- Unsuccessful Flower Crops
- Chrysanthemum, tulip, hyacinth
- Entrepreneur
- Choppavarapu Satyanarayana (Red Gold Bharat)
- Export Markets
- US, Australia, Middle East