Vijayawada: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has said that the state government is vigorously promoting natural farming. Currently, 500,000 hectares in the state are under natural farming practices. He said the government aims to convert 4 million farmers to the organic sector by the year 2028-29, taking natural farming in the state to 5 million acres.
In a significant development, the Pegasus Capital Advisors on Wednesday offered to extend their services to promote organic farming in Andhra Pradesh.
Its chairman, Craig Cougt, its operating adviser, Gina McCarthy, and its CEO to the Producers Trust, Keith Agoada, called on the chief minister at the Secretariat and discussed coordination for promoting organic farming in the state.
Also, they discussed ways to create awareness among the farmers to go for alternate cops, so as to withstand various environmental conditions, formation of an end-to-end system from farmer-to-consumer, as also strategies for market development, financing, data management and providing the necessary infrastructure.
These organisations expressed their readiness to extend necessary assistance in this regard and also provide support to get financial help from both public and private organisations. The institutions are also ready to promote Andhra Pradesh as a Global Centre of Excellence for creating the right environment for organic farming.
The Pegasus Capital Advisors and the Producers Trust entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rythu Sadhikaritha Samashtha, a state government entity, to this effect.
Wednesday’s meeting was in continuation of the recent visit of chief minister Naidu to Davos, during which he explained the objectives of the state to the heads of various organisations. Naidu had extended an invitation to them to come and promote natural farming in the state. Following this, Pegasus Capital Advisors and the Producers Trust representatives met the CM here on Wednesday.
Naidu explained to them the opportunities available in AP, the objectives of the state government and the prevailing conditions in the state. He also informed them that the food habits of the people are changing fast due to increasing awareness on health care and that thus “everyone wants healthy food.”
The CM said that in the coming days, food production certification and traceability are going to be very crucial. Thus, the state government is promoting both farmers and food production units.
Naidu said the government is educating farmers about the benefits of natural farming through the Rythu Sadhikaraka Samstha. The government is broadly promoting the opportunities available in this sector while planning to collaborate with various organisations to provide necessary support to farmers.