Amaravati, April 24: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced on Friday that Andhra Pradesh is planning to establish the world’s first dedicated ‘Cocoa City.’
He instructed officials to identify a suitable location for this 250-acre project, which will serve as an experience center for progressive farmers.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to expand saffron cultivation in the Araku agency area and to study methods for improving the quality of produce. Under the Andhra Pradesh Mushroom Mission 2026-2031, a target of producing one lakh metric tons of saffron annually has been set.
During an agricultural review meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized the need to strengthen the agricultural sector to ensure an increase in farmers’ income. He stressed the importance of educating farmers about cultivating market-demand crops and guiding them towards the most profitable options.
According to an official statement, the Chief Minister stated that agricultural land should remain fertile throughout the year, encouraging farmers to grow multiple crops for continuous income.
He urged officials to enable certification-based marketing for produce grown under natural farming, which would help farmers secure better prices. Referring to the reduction in urea usage per hectare during the last Rabi season, the Chief Minister viewed this as a positive development.
He instructed officials to develop a home delivery system for produce from Rythu markets with the assistance of suitable agencies. He called for a cluster-based development plan to transform Rayalaseema into a global horticulture hub.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that apples being experimentally cultivated in Anantapur are delicious and that the climatic conditions are favorable. He directed them to conduct a scientific study of the region and to expand cultivation.
He also instructed officials to focus on increasing the cultivation of avocados, figs, jackfruit, guava, and black pepper. Fruits like figs should be processed into dried fruits for value addition.
The Chief Minister ordered the preparation of an action plan to expand horticultural farming across the state to 5 million acres. He also mentioned that families of farmers living below the poverty line (BPL) should be provided opportunities for dairy production and livestock-based supplementary income through government assistance programs.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that a statewide crop survey is underway, documenting the crops under cultivation and available water resources.
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