In expectation of a surge in demand for horticultural crops ahead of the Simhastha festival, the crop acreage is expected to increase by around 10 percent in the ongoing 2015-16 season.
Farmers in the region have been shifting from agriculture to horticulture crops amid increased yield, better marketability and improved margins, said experts.
Acreage under fruits especially pomegranates, oranges and bananas is increasing in Madhya Pradesh.
SL Nagar, horticulture (joint director) Indore division, said, "Acreage under horticulture crops in Indore division in 2015-16 is expected to go up by over 10 per cent, especially in fruits and flowers." Nagar said that demand for fruits, vegetables and flowers is expected to remain high in the coming months when millions of people from various parts of the country will come to Ujjain during Simhastha, scheduled from April 22 to May 21.
An official of Bhopal horticulture department said, "Horticulture acreage is expected to be over 1.6 million in 2015-16 due to increased acreage under fruits and vegetables like chillies, onions and potatoes."
