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Summary:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to request federal assistance for agricultural development in the state. Naidu emphasized the need for a Central Agricultural University, a Coconut Park, a modern Aqua Laboratory, and a Mango Board. He highlighted the state’s 10.70% growth in agriculture achieved through a five-point strategy and requested financial aid for various initiatives, including micro-irrigation, banana transportation, natural farming, and fisheries development. Naidu envisions Andhra Pradesh becoming a national leader in agriculture with timely Central support.

News Article:

Andhra Pradesh Seeks Federal Aid for Ambitious Agricultural Expansion

Amaravati, December 25, 2025 – Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu today urged the Union Government to bolster the state’s agricultural sector with significant financial support, during a meeting with Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Naidu presented a comprehensive plan aimed at increasing farmer incomes and ensuring sustainable rural growth, stressing the long-standing demand for a Central Agricultural University in Andhra Pradesh as mandated by the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014. A detailed project report, estimated at ₹2,585 crore, has already been submitted to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education.

“We have achieved remarkable growth in agriculture through our five-point strategy, and now we need the Union Government’s support to further elevate our farmers and rural communities,” Naidu stated.

The Chief Minister also requested approvals for the establishment of a Coconut Park, a modern Aqua Laboratory, and a Mango Board to strengthen agricultural value chains and create employment opportunities. He further sought additional allocations under the PM-RKVY-PDMC scheme, subsidy support for banana transportation, and revival of assistance for silkworm rearing sheds.

Highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s leadership in natural farming with approximately 40 lakh farmers adopting the practice, Naidu requested the Centre to designate Andhra Pradesh a National Natural Farming Resource State and allocate additional clusters for natural farming development. Support for aqua labs, Pulicat Lake development, food processing infrastructure, fisheries development, and tobacco procurement were also key points of discussion.

The Chief Minister expressed optimism that with timely federal assistance, Andhra Pradesh can emerge as a national leader in agriculture and significantly improve the livelihoods of its rural population. The Union Minister’s office has yet to release a statement regarding the specific commitments made during the meeting.

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