Telangana’s renowned Balanagar sitaphal (custard apple), celebrated for its sugar-sweet pulp, is on the verge of securing a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The final field inspection is scheduled for April 22 across orchards in Mahbubnagar, Rangareddy, and Vikarabad districts.
Cultivated in over 30 villages across these districts, the Balanagar variety thrives in rocky terrains and forested soils, yielding fruits rich in sugars and nutrients. The Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, with support from NABARD, has conducted extensive studies to substantiate the fruit’s unique qualities and historical significance.