AP Eyes Saffron Cultivation in Lambasingi

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday directed officials to roll out an ambitious programme to transform Andhra Pradesh into the country’s largest natural farming hub.

The target, he said, is to bring 50 lakh acres under natural cultivation over the next five years.

In a review of the agriculture and allied sectors held at the secretariat, the CM said 18 lakh farmers were practising natural farming across 20 lakh acres in AP.

He advised officials to initiate focused measures to transform the state into the country’s largest natural farming hub. He stressed the need to cut down the use of chemical fertilizers and strengthen the global market presence of AP’s agricultural produce.

Chairing a review meeting on agriculture and allied sectors, the CM said around 1.8 million farmers in AP had adopted natural farming across nearly 2 million acres. The next priority should be ensuring quality through certification and traceability, so that natural farming products from AP gain wider acceptance in domestic and international markets.

Naidu wanted the officials to put in place a comprehensive traceability and certification system by April this year. He announced that extensive training programmes on natural farming would be conducted across the state in collaboration with Subhash Palekar and suggested that agriculture students should practise natural farming themselves as part of their education.

Emphasising the need to expand exports, the CM said Andhra Pradesh must significantly increase its share in national and global agricultural markets.

Officials informed Naidu that recent trade agreements with the US and the European Union had created fresh opportunities to boost exports of shrimp, dry chillies, mangoes, rice and processed foods.

He underlined that maintaining high quality standards was crucial to fully utilise these opportunities.

Recalling the severe water scarcity once faced by Rayalaseema, the CM said the issue had been effectively addressed this year through efficient water management. He noted that all reservoirs were filled and there was no shortage of irrigation water in the region.

In a major horticulture initiative, he directed officials to develop a Cocoa City over 500 acres in Eluru district, covering cultivation, processing and marketing at international standards.

He highlighted the scope for intercropping in mango, cocoa, cashew and coconut plantations and asked officials to encourage farmers to adopt diversified cropping practices.

While noting that AP ranks second in the country in banana production, he expressed concern over the state’s low export volumes and called for a stronger export-oriented strategy.

He also said companies willing to take up large-scale saffron cultivation in Lambasingi under the public-private partnership model, with participation of local tribal communities, should be permitted.

The Chief Minister announced that registration of aquaculture activities would be made mandatory. To strengthen the poultry sector, he instructed that egg supply contracts for government schools and anganwadi centres be given directly to farmers.

To promote awareness and agri-tourism, Naidu suggested organising crop festivals in different regions, on the lines of the Flower Festival held in Kuppam.

During the meeting, Naidu launched the “DG Rythu Bazaar” app for online purchase of vegetables, along with the APAIMS app for farm machinery and the Kisan Drone app. Through these platforms, farmers can book tractors, drones, grass cutters, power tillers and balers, with 9,512 machines made available across the state.

Agriculture minister K. Atchannaidu and senior officials were present.