Minister Nara Lokesh on Monday met Union Minister for Commerce & Industry 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, he requested the establishment of exclusive commodity boards in Andhra Pradesh, 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.
During the meeting, he informed the Union minister that AP ranks 2nd 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. Minister Lokesh then urged the immediate sanction of a Cashew Board to modernize processing and improve farmer incomes.
He 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, Minister Lokesh emphasised that a Chilli board would stabilize incomes and scale up chilli exports.
AP 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 Andhra Pradesh.
On the industrial front, Minister 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.
He also raised the issue of land transfer for industrial and port development, requesting clearance for 507 acres at Machilipatnam and 385 acres at Mulapeta, currently pending with the Centre. On the 100 Industrial Parks scheme announced by the Government of India, Minister Lokesh sought clarity from DPIIT on selection criteria, terms of reference, and funding. Andhra Pradesh has already shortlisted 32 sites for development.