Navsari, May 25 -- South Gujarat, known for its sweet mangoes and chikoo, is witnessing a shift from traditional fruit farming to value-added agro-business, with processed fruit products now reaching international markets.

Farmers in the region are increasingly focusing on producing mango pulp, processed fruit items and export-quality products instead of selling only raw fruits in local wholesale markets. Many growers have also adopted natural farming methods, which they say have helped reduce cultivation costs and improve income.

Farmer Vipin Bhai said that earlier he used to sell mangoes and chikoo in wholesale markets, but for the last five years, he has been producing value-added products. According to him, this has doubled his earn...