CM Naidu seeks ₹200 crore central support for integrated coconut development
In a letter, the Chief Minister noted that the Andhra Pradesh is one of the leading coconut-producing states in India, standing fourth in cultivation with 1.08 lakh hectares
By - Newsmeter Network
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Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has written to Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan requesting ₹200 crore in Central assistance for the State’s Integrated Coconut Development & Market Strengthening Programme.
In a letter, the Chief Minister noted that the Andhra Pradesh is one of the leading coconut-producing states in India, standing fourth in cultivation with 1.08 lakh hectares, 1735 million nuts in production, and the highest productivity in the country at 16,000 nuts per hectare.
Despite this natural advantage, farmers continue to receive low and unstable prices due to the lack of organised tender coconut markets, inadequate processing infrastructure, frequent climate-related losses, and increasing pest and disease incidence.
To address these challenges and improve farmer incomes, the Chief Minister outlined a ₹200-crore comprehensive programme, centred on modernising markets, expanding processing capacity and introducing advanced support systems for farmers.
Key initiatives proposed in the programme :
1. Establishment of modern Tender Coconut Market Hubs in major production clusters, modelled on Karnataka’s Maddur model
2. Setting up an Integrated Coconut Processing Park to promote production of high-value products such as Virgin Coconut Oil, desiccated coconut, tender coconut water and coir items
3. Expansion of nurseries and enhancement of quality planting material, including the introduction of the climate-resilient Niu Leka Dwarf variety
4. Adoption of AI-based advisories, drone-based monitoring and spraying, and digital market-access systems
5. Strengthening of pest and disease management systems alongside farmer training initiatives
The Chief Minister stated that the programme would directly benefit coconut farmers by increasing farm-gate prices from ₹11–15 per nut to ₹35–40, reducing climate and pest-related losses by 20–25%, creating 15,000 rural jobs, and positioning Andhra Pradesh as a leading national hub for tender coconut and value-added coconut products.*
He requested the Union Government to extend the ₹200-crore assistance under an appropriate scheme, noting its alignment with national priorities such as Doubling Farmers’ Income, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Export Promotion and Rural Employment.
Minister Lokesh had flagged the issue earlier :
On December 2, Minister Nara Lokesh met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi, where he highlighted the challenges faced by the State’s coconut farmers and stressed the need for Central support. The Chief Minister’s detailed proposal builds on that earlier discussion.
