Chandrababu Naidu meets Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan; focus on crop diversification, value addition.
Photo Credit: PIB
New Delhi, February 10, 2026: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday met Union Minister for Agriculture, farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the Agriculture Ministry in New Delhi, where the two leaders held detailed discussions on agriculture, farmer welfare and future growth strategies for the state.
Chandrababu Naidu highlighted key priorities of the Andhra Pradesh farming sector:
During the meeting, Chandrababu Naidu highlighted key priorities of Andhra Pradesh’s farming sector, including crop diversification, value addition, irrigation expansion, agri-processing and promotion of agro-based industries.
He emphasized the need for stronger Centre-State coordination to improve farmer incomes and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Assuring full support, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Centre would address Andhra Pradesh’s major agriculture issues on a priority basis.
He directed ministry officials to enhance coordination with the state government and prepare a time-bound action plan to resolve pending matters and accelerate implementation of schemes.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Chandrashekhar Pemmasani were also present at the meeting.
Chouhan said Andhra Pradesh’s active participation is vital to achieving the vision of a ‘’Visit Bharat.’’ He noted that Andhra Pradesh was the first state to allocate funds for the ‘’Develop India G Ram G Yojna,’’ calling the visionary initiative reflecting the country’s commitment to agriculture and rural development.
Referring to the Union Budget, Chouhan said special priority has been given to the Coconut Promotion Scheme, along with key initiatives for cocoa, cashew and other horticulture crops.
He said the Centre, in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government, will formulate a comprehensive strategy covering production, processing, export promotion and farmer income enhancement in these sectors.
An expert team from the Ministry will work with the state to prepare a detailed roadmap to ensure direct benefits to farmers.
Highlighting the state’s agricultural potential, Chouhan said concrete steps would be taken to develop Andhra Pradesh as a model for agricultural development.
Institutions such as the Cocoa Development Board are already contributing positively, he added, while urging officials to ensure swift resolution of all outstanding issues.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu praised Chouhan’s leadership, stating that India’s agriculture sector is witnessing a significant transformation and that tangible improvements are visible in farmers’ lives.
Focus on value-chain development:
Chandrababu Naidu said greater emphasis is now required on backward and forward linkages, value-chain development, agri-processing and technology-driven farming.
Chandrababu Naidu noted that Andhra Pradesh contributes nearly 9.9 percent to the country’s agricultural output and said the state government is prioritizing the development of cocoa, cashew, coconut, horticulture and value-added agricultural products.
“Agriculture is not merely an administrative responsibility for me; it is a personal passion,” he said.
He added that the state will focus on expanding oilseed cultivation, improving irrigation efficiency, adopting modern farming techniques and promoting agriculture-based industries—measures aimed at boosting farmer incomes, generating employment and accelerating rural development.
EOM.
