Naidu Visits Anganwadi Centre, Praises Natural Farming Model in Palnadu

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday visited an Anganwadi centre and a natural farming field at Linganguntla village in Palnadu district, highlighting the state government's focus on child nutrition, sustainable development, and eco-friendly agriculture.

The CM, who visited the village to participate in the Swachh Andhra–Swarna Andhra and Annadata Sukhibhava programmes, first visited the local Anganwadi centre, where he formally handed over an induction stove and steel utensils under the government's Net Zero initiative. In a symbolic gesture promoting environmental conservation, he planted a sapling in the Anganwadi premises.

Naidu interacted with Anganwadi staff and sought details of the nutritional food being provided to children, pre-primary education activities, and services extended to pregnant women and lactating mothers. An Anganwadi helper demonstrated the use of the newly supplied induction stove by preparing ragi malt.

The Chief Minister then sat on the floor and interacted with the children at the centre while sharing with them the nutritious drink.

Later, Chandrababu Naidu visited the natural farming field of farmer Gudipalli Nagabhushanam and inquired about the latter’s agricultural practices. Nagabhushanam explained that he has been practising natural farming for the past four years, resulting in reduced cultivation costs, improved soil fertility, and better yields.

The CM said the government is actively encouraging natural farming and creating awareness among farmers about the harmful effects of excessive chemical use. He commended Nagabhushanam for emerging as a role model for other farmers.

Naidu went on to inspect Nagabhushanam’s traditional oil extraction unit, where groundnut, sesame, and coconut oils are extracted through natural cold-press methods. He observed that such traditional enterprises can strengthen rural economies and generate supplementary income.

When Nagabhushanam, in a lighter vein, suggested that the Chief Minister try the cold-pressed groundnut oil, Naidu jokingly remarked that household purchases required the approval of his wife. He immediately telephoned his wife, Nara Bhuvaneswari and, after speaking with her, purchased a litre of groundnut oil.

Naidu visited a cow-based natural farming resource centre, where he examined the preparation of natural agricultural inputs, such as Jeevamrutham, Ghanajeevamrutham, and Neemastram prepared using locally available resources. He later went through a papaya orchard and sampled the fruit offered by the farmer.

Those who accompanied the CM included MLA Prathipati Pulla Rao and Palnadu district collector Krithika Shukla.