• The Andhra Pradesh government wants to promote ‘fertigation’ (micro-irrigation integrated with water soluble fertilizer) which will increase the returns of the fruit farmers by 35%.
• The State ranks first in oil palm, papaya, coconut and chilli production and ranks second in mango and tomato production.
• The benefits of fertigation over the conventional or drop-fertilizing methods include increased nutrient absorption, reduction of fertilizer and water needed and greater control in the application of nutrients.
• There is a reduction in soil erosion because the nutrients are pumped through the water drip system. Leaching of nutrients from the soil is also decreased.

Source: The Hindu