Non-Availability of Land Hits Development of Agri-Based Industries In Konaseema

KAKINADA: Though Konaseema district officials are keen on developing agriculture-based industries, in particular those related to coconuts and bananas, one of the main constraints is availability of land.

As much as 95 per cent of Konaseema area is covered with green fields, wetlands and aqua ponds. Real estate ventures are competing for the available land. There is the issue of land for housing the poor. Several of the housing schemes are languishing due to the levelling required before starting any construction activity.

To overcome these constraints before developing ventures based on coconut and banana products, among others, Konaseema district collector R. Mahesh Kumar has been convening meetings with revenue officials to locate suitable lands.

In the interim, entrepreneurs, who had started industries during the previous term of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, have recounted problems of their own. One entrepreneur had started a coconut-based industry at Alamuru. However, his complaint is that government officials are acting in such a manner that it is difficult for him to run the industry.

Likewise, some entrepreneurs floated a company to manufacture coir bricks used to moisturise plants over an extended period. They started a plant with 20-tonnes capacity keeping in view the China market. However, in view of the prevailing circumstances, exports to China are not possible. Hence the company is trying to market coir bricks locally and in Hyderabad markets.

However, they are finding it difficult to meet some overhead expenses like power charges. Subsidised power should be made available to such industries, said Krishivala Coconut Farm Products director Mutyala Jameel.

Company chairman Ganapathi Veera Raghavulu said the state MSME department must extend benefits to existing entrepreneurs, so that they too could contribute to the rapid development envisaged by AP government in the state.