CM Unveils Farm-to-home Strategy to Transform AP Agriculture Sector

Vijayawada: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, emphasising the objectives of Swarna Andhra Vision 2047, has instructed officials to strengthen agriculture-related sectors to accelerate rural development and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers.

Naidu on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive “Farm-to-Home” strategy aimed at delivering agricultural produce directly from farmers to consumers at lower costs while ensuring better prices for cultivators.

Reviewing the performance of agriculture and allied sectors, the chief minister directed the officials to prepare an action plan to implement the new system through farmer producer organisations (FPOs), particularly for vegetables and fruits.

He said the initiative would reduce marketing costs and ensure doorstep delivery of fresh produce to consumers.

Naidu also reviewed six missions related to agriculture and the primary sector, while stressing the need for region-wise crop planning in view of the anticipated impact of El Niño conditions on the state. He instructed officials to formulate contingency measures and encourage natural farming practices across different regions.

The chief minister asked officials to promote cultivation methods such as PMDS (Pre-monsoon dry sowing) and Half-Moon farming in water-scarce areas and ensure that farmers receive minimum support prices despite adverse climatic conditions. He also called for greater support from the Centre for AP’s natural farming initiatives and suggested utilising the expertise of successful natural farming practitioners.

Highlighting the importance of scientific farming, Naidu directed the officials to conduct soil testing across the state and make the results available online so that farmers can identify suitable crops for their lands.

He also stressed on agricultural mechanisation, cluster-based farming and increased use of drones and modern farm equipment through the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha.

The CM asked agriculture universities to send professors and students into the field to study natural farming practices and prepare detailed action plans. He also called for the establishment of special counters in Rythu Bazaars and private markets for naturally grown produce.

Focusing on horticulture and irrigation, Naidu said the Rayalaseema region would be transformed into a horticulture hub through the Purvodaya scheme with investments worth `40,000 crore in irrigation, roads, warehouses and infrastructure, besides attracting private investments of Rs.60,000 crore.

Cocoa City: Naidu directed officials to examine the proposal for setting up a Cocoa City at Yadavolu near Devarapalli in East Godavari district and announced that the foundation stone for the Indian School of Agriculture at Madanapalle would be laid in July.

To support horticulture farmers, the CM ordered the creation of cold storage facilities for banana farmers in Rayalaseema. He also instructed officials to ensure low-cost silage and cattle feed availability and take measures to prevent poultry deaths caused by rising temperatures.

In the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, Naidu directed immediate completion of the central food testing laboratory at Pulivendula and sanctioned Rs.3 crore for its operationalisation. He announced that the state’s existing power subsidy of Rs.1.50 per unit for aquaculture farmers would be extended to 12,680 newly registered aqua connections in addition to the existing 50,000 connections.

Naidu also directed officials to modernise Rythu Bazaars and expedite the establishment of such markets in 90 assembly constituencies across the state while expanding the reach of the Digi Rythu Bazaar app among consumers and farmers.