Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu congratulated the Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) for winning the National Business Line Changemaker Award through Araku Coffee. He appreciated Tribal Affairs Minister Gummidi Sandhyarani and GCC MD Kalpana Kumari for winning the award in the Financial Transformation category.
The Chief Minister inspected the award and the certificate of appreciation received from Business Line at the Secretariat. Minister Gummidi Sandhyarani said that it is a matter of pride for the state that the GCC, which has made significant contributions to the financial empowerment of tribals, has received the ‘Changemaker Award 2025 – Financial Transformation’.
She revealed that the GCC, established in 1956, is playing a key role in improving the living standards of tribal communities. She said that in 1970, it promoted coffee cultivation in the Araku Valley with the support of the Coffee Board and provided a stable source of income to tribal families.
The Chief Minister said that the reason why Araku Valley coffee has gained recognition worldwide for its quality and organic nature by promoting coffee cultivation from the beginning is due to him. He commented that it has gained a special place in the global market by getting the GI tag in 2019.
He recalled that it was selected in the ‘One District One Product’ scheme in 2023 and won the Flavor of India Fine Cup Award. Along with coffee, GCC has taken a step forward in producing crops like pepper, ginger, turmeric and chili in an organic manner. The Minister said that the Changemaker Award 2025, which was received in recognition of the steps and efforts taken by GCC in changing the living standards of tribal families, is a symbol of tribal empowerment.
Araku coffee farmers have received global recognition in organic farming in the country and abroad. Araku coffee is one of the five coffee varieties that have achieved Geographical Identification. Even though there are many coffees, why does Araku coffee get the top crown? It is because of the cool climate in Araku, the hilly valleys, the pure tribal people who do not know the soil and the climate do not use any chemicals in the coffee grown.
The pods are cut and dried in natural sunlight. That is why that purity is also visible in the taste. Araku tourists are greeted by coffee plantations among tall trees on the hillsides. Araku coffee is at the forefront of impressing coffee drinkers in the world. Araku coffee, which stands out in terms of taste, is now making a name for itself in Andhra Pradesh.