Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Sets Ambitious Natural Farming Target
In a significant move to transform agricultural practices, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced a five-year vision to establish Andhra Pradesh as India's premier natural farming state. During a comprehensive review meeting held on Monday, the CM directed officials to achieve this ambitious goal by the fiscal year 2030-31, emphasizing a shift toward sustainable and chemical-free agriculture.
Expanding Natural Farming Footprint
The chief minister outlined plans to bring 50 lakh acres under natural farming systems, free from chemical inputs. Currently, approximately 18 lakh farmers across 20 lakh acres have already adopted these eco-friendly methods. Naidu called for scaling this initiative to encompass 40 lakh farmers through focused implementation strategies and targeted incentives, aiming to double the current adoption rate.
Specialized Agricultural Projects
To diversify the agricultural portfolio, Naidu proposed several innovative projects. These include large-scale saffron cultivation in the Lambasingi region under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with active participation from local tribal communities. Additionally, he announced the establishment of a 500-acre Cocoa City in Eluru district, designed to integrate cultivation, processing, and export activities to tap into global markets.
Technology and Climate Resilience
Addressing potential climate challenges, the CM instructed relevant departments to prepare alternative crop plans for drought-prone areas, moving away from traditional crops that may be vulnerable to El Nino impacts. He also advocated for the deployment of AI-based crop advisory platforms, such as Bharat Vistaar, to provide real-time guidance and support to farmers, enhancing decision-making and productivity.
Export Promotion and Quality Standards
Noting emerging trade agreements with the United States and European Union, Naidu highlighted opportunities to boost exports of key products like shrimp, dry chilli, mango, rice, and processed foods. He stressed the importance of strict adherence to quality standards to compete internationally. Despite Andhra Pradesh ranking second nationally in banana production, the CM pointed out lagging export figures and urged officials to prioritize export promotion strategies.
Enhancing Farmer Incomes and Market Access
To improve farm profitability, Naidu suggested encouraging intercropping in plantations of mango, cocoa, cashew, and coconut. He also directed that aquaculture operations be registered mandatorily and that contracts for egg supply to government schools and anganwadis be awarded directly to farmers, aiming to strengthen the poultry sector. Furthermore, he emphasized aligning state agricultural initiatives with central policies for cohesive development.
Infrastructure and Digital Initiatives
For better market access, the CM proposed organizing crop-based festivals across various regions, similar to the successful flower festival in Kuppam, and called for measures to reduce logistics costs, including exploring special railway wagons for agricultural transport. He approved the establishment of Rythu Bazaars wherever market yards exist and a PPP-mode flower market in Vijayawada. Additionally, Naidu launched the Digi Rythu Bazaar app for online vegetable purchases, along with the APAIMS and Kisan Drone apps to facilitate farm machinery bookings, with 9,512 machines made available under this initiative.
The review meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu and senior officials, underscoring the government's commitment to revitalizing Andhra Pradesh's agricultural sector through innovative and sustainable practices.
