Andhra Pradesh to Be Developed as India’s Largest Natural Farming Hub: CM Naidu

Amaravati, Feb 2026 : Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday directed officials to initiate concrete and time-bound action to transform Andhra Pradesh into the country’s largest hub for natural farming, underlining the state government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and farmer prosperity.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on agriculture and allied sectors at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister said that as many as 18 lakh farmers across the state have already come forward to adopt natural farming practices over nearly 20 lakh acres. He stressed that this momentum must be strengthened further by systematically reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and promoting eco-friendly farming methods.

The Chief Minister emphasised the critical importance of certification and traceability to ensure the credibility and quality of natural farming produce. According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), he instructed officials to put in place a robust system for certification and traceability by April this year, enabling farmers to access premium markets and build consumer trust.

Highlighting the role of education in driving change, CM Naidu suggested that agriculture students should practise natural farming themselves as part of their learning process. He also announced that statewide training programmes on natural farming would be conducted in collaboration with renowned agriculturist Subhash Palekar, with the aim of equipping farmers with practical knowledge and skills.

The Chief Minister called for concerted efforts to enhance the presence of Andhra Pradesh’s agricultural produce in both national and international markets. Officials informed the meeting that recent trade agreements with the United States and the European Union have opened new opportunities for increasing exports of shrimp, dry chillies, mangoes, rice and processed food products. CM Naidu stressed that maintaining high quality standards would be key to leveraging these opportunities.

Recalling the chronic water scarcity that once plagued the Rayalaseema region, the Chief Minister said the situation had significantly improved this year due to efficient water management. He noted that all reservoirs are currently filled and there is no shortage of irrigation water, providing a strong foundation for agricultural growth.

To diversify agriculture and boost value addition, CM Naidu directed officials to develop a “Cocoa City” over 500 acres in Eluru district, covering cultivation, processing and marketing at international standards. He also pointed out the potential for intercropping in mango, cocoa, cashew and coconut plantations and asked officials to actively encourage farmers to adopt such practices.

While observing that Andhra Pradesh ranks second in the country in banana production, the Chief Minister noted that exports remain relatively low and called for a focused strategy to improve overseas shipments. He further directed that companies interested in large-scale saffron cultivation in Lambasingi under a public-private partnership model, with participation of local tribal communities, should be permitted.

The Chief Minister also announced that registration of aquaculture activities would be made mandatory. To strengthen the poultry sector, he instructed that egg supply contracts for government schools and anganwadi centres be awarded directly to farmers. He concluded by emphasising that state policies in agriculture and allied sectors should remain aligned with those of the central government.

Team Maverick.