Govt. support sought for accelerating industrial growth
The State IT & HRD Minister Mr. Nara Lokesh recently met Union Minister for Commerce & Industry Mr. Piyush Goyal in Delhi, urging the Centre’s support to strengthen agricultural supply chains, boost exports, and accelerate industrial growth in the state.
During the meeting, Minister Lokesh requested the establishment of exclusive commodity boards in Andhra Pradesh. These included a Cashew Board in Srikakulam, a Chilli Board in Guntur, and a Mango Board in Chittoor, to address sector-specific challenges and improve global competitiveness.
He informed the Union minister that Andhra Pradesh ranks second nationally in cashew production, cultivating 1.38 lakh hectares and producing 1.68 lakh metric tonnes annually.
Farmers face productivity challenges due to aging plantations and poor infrastructure. Mr. Lokesh then urged the immediate sanction of a Cashew Board to modernize processing and improve farmer incomes.
The Minister also apprised him that with 11.67 lakh hectares under chilli cultivation, Andhra Pradesh farmers struggle with price fluctuations, middlemen dependence, and weak post-harvest management.
To resolve this issue, the Minister emphasised that a Chilli board would stabilize incomes and scale up chilli exports.
Andhra Pradesh produces nearly 50 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes annually, ranking 2nd nationally. Despite the GI recognition for Banginapalli mangoes, farmers face issues of low productivity, weak infrastructure, and limited export access.
Minister Lokesh stressed that setting up these boards would modernize processing, stabilize farmer incomes, and scale up exports from AP.
On the industrial front, Mr. Lokesh sought Rs. 5,811 crore in central grants for infrastructure development, including water, power, roads, and rail, across strategic industrial corridors in Andhra Pradesh.
He urged clearance for new industrial nodes at Mulapeta, Chilamathur, Kuppam, and Donakonda, along with approval for the Chittoor node under VCIC. He further requested immediate approvals from NICDC to expedite tendering and EPC release for Orvakal and Kopparthi nodes, where master plans are already approved.
