Amaravati, April 24 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh is planning the world’s first dedicated Cocoa City, said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday.​

He directed officials to identify a suitable location for the 250-acre project, which should serve as an experience centre for progressive farmers.​

The Chief Minister instructed officials to study ways to expand saffron cultivation in the Araku Agency area and improve quality yields. Under the AP Mushroom Mission 2026–2031, he set a target of producing one lakh metric tonnes annually.​

During a review meeting on agriculture, the Chief Minister directed officials to strengthen the agriculture sector to ensure higher income for farmers. He stressed the need to educate farmers on cultivating market-demand crops and guide them on the most profitable options.​

According to an official release, the Chief Minister said agricultural lands should remain productive throughout the year, encouraging farmers to cultivate multiple crops to ensure continuous income.​

He asked officials to enable certification-based marketing of produce grown under natural farming, which would help farmers secure premium prices. Referring to the decline in urea usage per hectare during the last Rabi season, the Chief Minister termed it a positive development.​

He asked officials to develop a system for doorstep delivery of produce from Rythu Bazaars by engaging suitable agencies. He further called for a cluster-based development plan to transform Rayalaseema into a global horticulture hub.​

Officials informed the CM that apples being cultivated experimentally in Anantapur are tasty and the climate conditions are favourable. He directed them to scientifically study the region and expand the cultivation.​

He also instructed officials to focus on increasing cultivation of avocado, fig, jackfruit, guava and pepper. Fruits like figs should be processed into dry fruit products to enhance value.​

The Chief Minister ordered the preparation of an action plan to expand horticulture cultivation to 50 lakh acres across the state. He also said BPL farmer families should be supported with dairy- and livestock-based supplementary income opportunities through government-backed assistance plans.​

The officials informed the Chief Minister that a statewide crop survey is underway, documenting crops under cultivation and available water resources.​

They said the Farmer App now includes comprehensive details, such as farmers’ profiles, land extent, soil test data, use of urea, pesticides, and seeds, benefits received under government schemes, groundwater availability, and nearby water resources.​

The app also provides crop-specific weather forecasts and input requirements, such as fertilisers and seeds.​

Officials said over 8 lakh farmers have registered on the Farmer App so far. The Chief Minister noted that beyond registrations, effective usage and actual benefits to farmers are more important.​

Officials also said awareness campaigns under Rythanna Meekosam reached 48.73 lakh farmer families in Phase 1 and 46.21 lakh farmer families in Phase 2 through a five-point outreach programme.​

Officials informed the Chief Minister that southwest monsoon rainfall this year may be below normal at around 92 per cent of average levels. They said that El Niño may severely affect rainfed regions, especially Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, Kadapa, Kurnool and Prakasam districts, leading to reduced rainfall, which may impact pulses, oilseeds and water-dependent horticulture crops.​

As a mitigation measure, officials said the state is implementing PMDS (Pre-Monsoon Dry Sowing), under which seeds are sown before the onset of rains.​

They said the system improves yields while reducing cultivation costs, fertiliser usage and water consumption, enabling farmers to earn an additional Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 per acre.​

The Chief Minister directed officials to implement PMDS across 20 lakh acres this year and to explore integrating it with VBG Ramji’s initiatives.​

Officials said that in 2025–26, natural farming was adopted on 9.26 lakh hectares by 17.74 lakh farmers across 4,116 gram panchayats. For 2026–27, the Chief Minister set an ambitious target to expand natural farming to all 13,300 gram panchayats, covering 25 lakh farmers and 11 lakh hectares.​

–IANS

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