Amravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], August 24 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday called for a major shift toward agricultural food processing and value addition to transform farm households into high-yield entrepreneurial units.
Speaking at Musunuru in Eluru district, Naidu unveiled plans to boost indigenous crop processing, scale regional branding globally, and secure long-term water infrastructure for the state, accompanied by Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan and Governor S Abdul Nazeer.
Naidu launched Gourmet Popcornica's non-GMO hybrid maize seeds near Nuzividu, home to India's largest popcorn processing plant. Grown across 40,000 acres by 17,500 local farmers, the region's popcorn is already supplying domestic and international markets, cutting reliance on imports from countries like Brazil.
The state will set up dedicated retail counters at major railway stations for indigenous products like Andhra Popcorn and Araku Coffee, while pushing traditional items like Kondaveeti wooden toys into global supply chains.
A targeted action plan combining public and private investments of ₹1 lakh crore is underway to convert the Rayalaseema region into a high-value horticulture hub focused on chilli, turmeric, maize, and aquaculture.
The Veligonda project is scheduled for launch by the end of the month to serve Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa, and Markapuram. Naidu also advocated for nationwide river interlinking--spanning the Godavari, Krishna, Penna, Tungabhadra, Cauvery, Ganga, and Mahanadi--to guarantee multi-state irrigation security.
Stating that both the central and state governments view agriculture as an economic driver and farmers as entrepreneurs, Naidu urged value addition across commercial produce, including turmeric, chilli, maize, and aquaculture. He noted that an action plan is underway to transform the Rayalaseema region into a horticulture hub supported by public and private investments of Rs 1 lakh crore.
Ministers Nara Lokesh, K Atchannaidu, and Kolusu Parthasarathy were also present at the event. (ANI)
Popcorn to exports: Andhra CM Naidu pushes agribusiness, interlinking of rivers
