India, Feb. 10 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu met with Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the Agriculture Ministry in New Delhi today. Detailed and fruitful discussions were held on various important issues related to agriculture and farmers' welfare in the state , including the progress of schemes and future prospects.
Shri Naidu raised with the Union Minister the needs of Andhra Pradesh farmers , including crop diversification , value addition , irrigation , processing, and the expansion of agro-based industries. Taking the state's priorities seriously, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured that all major agricultural problems in Andhra Pradesh would be resolved promptly and on a priority basis. He also directed the concerned officials to coordinate with the state government and develop a time-bound action plan.
Civil Aviation Minister Shri Kinjarapu Ramamohan Naidu and Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Shri Chandrashekhar Pemmasani were also present during the meeting.
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Andhra Pradesh's active participation is crucial in realizing the vision of a developed India. Andhra Pradesh was the first state to allocate budget to the " Developed India Ji Ram Ji" scheme , which is a visionary and positive initiative and reflects the country's serious commitment to agriculture and rural development. He informed that the Union Budget has given special priority to the Coconut Promotion Scheme , and important announcements have also been made for the overall development of cocoa , cashew, and other horticultural crops.
He stated that the Ministry of Agriculture , in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government, will develop a comprehensive strategy for production , processing , export promotion, and increasing farmers' income in these areas. To this end, the Ministry's expert team will coordinate with the state government to develop a detailed action plan and roadmap , ensuring that the benefits of the schemes reach farmers directly.
Mr. Chauhan also stated that, given its high productivity and agricultural potential, concrete steps will be taken to develop Andhra Pradesh as a leading agricultural development model. Relevant institutions, including the Cocoa Development Board, are already playing a positive role in this direction. He directed Ministry officials to ensure prompt resolution of all pending issues related to the state government and to advance future plans in an effective and result-oriented manner.
Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu, while congratulating Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said that under his leadership, the country's agriculture sector is scaling new heights and positive changes are visible in the lives of farmers. He said that in recent years, the structure and approach of the agriculture sector has undergone a major change and now it has become necessary to pay special attention to backward and forward integration , value chain development , agri-processing and technology-based farming.
He stated that Andhra Pradesh contributes approximately 9.9 percent to the national agricultural landscape , and the state government is continuously striving to further strengthen it. In particular, priority work is being given to the development of cocoa , cashew , coconut , horticulture, and value-added agricultural products. Shri Naidu said that agriculture is not merely an administrative responsibility for him , but a deep personal passion , and in this spirit, the state government is continuously working to promote the prosperity of farmers and strengthen the rural economy.
He further stated that special emphasis will be placed on expanding the oilseed area in the state , utilizing modern agricultural techniques , improving irrigation efficiency, and promoting agriculture-based industries. This will increase farmers' income , create new employment opportunities, and accelerate overall rural development.
Disclaimer: The original story of this translated version is available on Press Information Bureau.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
