CM Chandrababu Naidu urged greater food processing, value addition and branding of AP farm products to boost farmer incomes and expand global exports.
Nuzividu: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for greater focus on food processing and value addition to agricultural produce, saying the approach can increase farmer incomes, create entrepreneurial opportunities for youth and help Andhra Pradesh establish a stronger presence in global markets.
The Chief Minister, along with Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, released non-GMO hybrid maize seeds developed by Garme Popcornica at Musunuru in Eluru district.
Addressing a public meeting later, Naidu said the State government wanted agricultural and horticultural products produced in Andhra Pradesh to be processed, branded and exported to international markets.
Naidu said Garme Popcorn was producing indigenous non-GMO seeds in India in collaboration with farmers. Popcorn maize cultivated in the Nuzividu region was being supplied across the country and exported overseas.
According to the Chief Minister, non-GMO hybrid maize is currently cultivated across 40,000 acres by around 17,500 farmers. He welcomed the establishment of what he described as the country’s largest popcorn processing plant at Musunuru.
He said India had previously imported significant quantities of popcorn, including from Brazil, and stressed the need to retain the economic value of such products within the country.
“We should export our popcorn not only to Asian markets but also to the global market,” Naidu said.
He also announced plans to establish counters at railway stations to promote Andhra Popcorn and Araku Coffee, while encouraging indigenous products such as Kondaveeti wooden toys to reach international consumers.
The Chief Minister said the NDA governments at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh viewed agriculture as an economic force and farmers as entrepreneurs.
He called for greater processing and branding of products such as turmeric, chilli, maize and aquaculture products before taking them to global markets.
According to Naidu, value addition would help increase the market value of agricultural produce and provide better returns to farmers.
He also urged farmers to adapt cultivation patterns to changing food preferences and market demand. Commercial crops such as palm oil and cocoa, along with aquaculture, have expanded in the Nuzividu region, he said.
Naidu said an action plan was being implemented to transform Rayalaseema into a horticulture hub, with a proposed public and private investment of Rs. 1 lakh crore.
He also highlighted irrigation initiatives, saying Godavari water had been diverted to the Krishna Delta despite the impact of El Niño and helped protect crops.
The Chief Minister said completion of the Chintalapudi project would further transform the region. He also said the Veligonda project would be launched by the end of August, with the objective of providing water to areas including Markapuram, Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts.
With water scarcity a possibility due to El Niño, Naidu urged farmers to consider alternative crops, including pulses, and make efficient use of available water resources.
He said the NDA government’s long-term vision included interlinking rivers to improve water utilisation and strengthen water security.
Naidu said linking the Godavari-Krishna, Tungabhadra-Penna and Penna-Cauvery systems could help address water-related challenges across several States. He also spoke of the potential benefits of linking the Ganga, Mahanadi and Godavari rivers.
“If water security is achieved, the development of the country will be unstoppable,” the Chief Minister said.
Ministers Nara Lokesh, K. Atchannaidu and Kolusu Parthasarathy were present.
