Chandrababu Naidu seeks establishment of Central Agricultural University in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday urged the Union Government to extend its cooperation for the comprehensive development of agriculture and allied sectors in the State, with the objective of increasing farmers’ incomes and ensuring sustainable rural growth.

During his meeting with Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Chief Minister reiterated the State’s long-pending demand for establishment of a Central Agricultural University in Andhra Pradesh, as envisaged under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

Mr. Naidu informed the Union Minister that the State Government had already submitted a DPR to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, with an estimated cost of ₹2,585 crore. He also sought approvals for the setting up a Coconut Park, a modern Aqua Laboratory, and a Mango Board to strengthen agricultural value chains and generate employment opportunities in the rural areas.

Explaining the State’s policy framework, Mr. Naidu said Andhra Pradesh had achieved a growth rate of 10.70% in agriculture and allied sectors by implementing a five-point strategy, focusing on water security, demand-driven crop planning, adoption of agri-technology, promotion of food processing, and strong institutional support.

These measures, he said, were aimed at improving productivity, reducing cultivation costs, and enhancing market access for farmers.

As part of the Union Minister’s visit to Amaravati, the Chief Minister submitted a memorandum seeking Central assistance for several initiatives. He requested additional allocation of ₹695 crore under the PM-RKVY-PDMC scheme for micro-irrigation expansion, subsidy support for banana transportation through railway wagons, approval for a ₹200-crore Coconut Park, and revival of assistance for silkworm rearing sheds from 2025–26. He also sought faster release of funds under the PM-PRANAM scheme and approvals for natural farming clusters under the NMNF.

Highlighting that nearly 40 lakh farmers in the State had adopted natural farming, Mr. Naidu urged the Centre to allocate additional clusters over the next five years and declare Andhra Pradesh a National Natural Farming Resource State. He also sought Central support for aqua labs, Pulicat Lake development, food processing infrastructure, fisheries development, and tobacco procurement.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that timely Central support would help Andhra Pradesh emerge as a national leader in agriculture and allied sectors, while significantly improving rural livelihoods.