Amaravati NIFT, Kuppam PM Mitra Park on AP Wish List

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday urged the Centre to establish the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Amaravati and extend support for a PM MITRA textile park in Kuppam.

He also proposed to the Centre a comprehensive strategy to promote fibre-based industries linked to horticulture crops in Andhra Pradesh.

During a meeting with Union textiles minister Giriraj Singh at the secretariat, the Chief Minister submitted a set of proposals aimed at creating large-scale value addition opportunities from natural fibres produced through banana, coconut, bamboo and areca cultivation across the state.

Naidu said Andhra Pradesh has significant potential to emerge as a major eco-friendly fibre and textile hub by leveraging horticulture waste and converting it into commercially viable products. He proposed setting up banana stem fibre extraction centres in Kadapa, Anantapur, Nandyal, Krishna, East Godavari and West Godavari districts, where banana cultivation is extensive.

The Chief Minister said banana is cultivated in nearly 1.30 lakh hectares in the state and much of the stem biomass currently goes waste after harvest. Extraction of cellulose fibre from banana stems could generate sustainable raw material for the textile sector and provide additional income to farmers, he explained.

Naidu informed the Union minister that banana fibre has applications in handicrafts, geo-textiles, speciality paper and export-oriented garments, besides serving as an eco-friendly alternative comparable to jute.

Naidu also sought support for cluster-based mechanical decorticator units through self-help groups in coordination with the horticulture department.

The CM proposed establishment of mechanical bamboo fibre processing units under PPP mode to support tribal and upland farmers. He said bamboo-based fibre industries could provide assured income for nearly 30 years in agency and dryland regions.

Highlighting the potential of areca leaf-based industries, Naidu said leaf sheets could be used for mats, geo-textile rolls, composite boards and eco-friendly packaging products.

He said women self-help groups could be involved in manufacturing activities, creating opportunities for cottage and small-scale industries in districts such as Sri Sathya Sai, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari and Alluri Sitharama Raju.

Seeking assistance for strengthening the coir sector, the chief minister requested the Centre to support mechanised husk processing units and coir geo-textile industries through the existing Coir Board and DWCRA network. Andhra Pradesh has over 1.16 lakh hectares under coconut cultivation, he noted.

Naidu said coir geo-textiles would play a key role in strengthening embankments and preventing soil erosion along the state’s 1,000-km coastline and the Krishna-Godavari delta region. Value-added products such as geo-rolls and needle-felt products could fetch three to four times higher returns compared to raw fibre exports, he said.

The CM also requested release of ₹280 crore for establishing NIFT in Amaravati, stating that the state had already allocated 10 acres for the institution. He sought integrated wet processing parks for textile clusters, priority status for Andhra Pradesh under the National New Age Fibre Mission and a ₹22.36-crore handloom park at Mangalagiri under the National Handloom Development Programme.

He also appealed for support to establish a handloom and handicrafts museum in Amaravati.

Responding positively, Giriraj Singh assured the CM full cooperation from the textiles ministry for Andhra Pradesh’s proposals.