Andhra Pradesh is set to make history with the world’s inaugural dedicated Cocoa City, as announced by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. During Friday’s agriculture review in Amaravati, Naidu tasked officials with scouting 250 acres for this pioneering venture, designed as a hands-on learning center for forward-thinking farmers.
The announcement underscores Naidu’s commitment to agri-led growth. He stressed year-round land productivity through multi-cropping, farmer education on high-demand crops, and guidance on lucrative choices to double incomes. ‘We must make farming a profitable enterprise,’ Naidu asserted.
In Araku’s scenic valleys, saffron farming expansion is on the cards, coupled with quality enhancements. The Mushroom Mission eyes one lakh metric tons yearly by 2031. Natural farming produce will get certification for premium marketing, building on recent urea reduction successes.
Market reforms include Rythu Bazar home deliveries via agency partnerships. Rayalaseema’s transformation into a horticulture powerhouse via clusters was pitched strongly. Anantapur’s apple trials—tasty and climate-friendly—demand scientific scaling.
Naidu directed boosts in avocado, figs (for drying), jackfruit, guava, and black pepper. Horticulture must sprawl to 50 lakh acres, with BPL farmers gaining dairy-livestock entry points. Statewide crop and water surveys are mapping the future.
This multi-pronged strategy blends high-value crops, tech, and sustainability, positioning Andhra as an agri-innovation beacon. Farmers stand to gain from better markets, tech support, and income streams, heralding a new era of rural prosperity.
