CM holds review on increasing coffee output in AP

Hyderabad, Oct 26 (INN): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu held a review on coffee production from agency areas of the state.

In a meeting with former Coffee Board chairman Krishna Rao and other officials today, the Chief Minister has directed officials to look into enhancing coffee production in Visakha agency areas.

The Chief Minister was informed that despite favourable climatic conditions of the region, the backwardness and non-usage of modern technologies in increasing coffee output has led to the decline in coffee production.

The Chief Minister directed officials to introduce best practices in increasing productivity through the use of modern technologies. He added that coffee growers could be educated about the scientific methods through experts and eventually be part of skill upgradation in coffee cultivation.

Of the total 58,000 hectares of coffee cultivate in Andhra Pradesh’s agency areas, 55,000 hectares of coffee is being cultivated by tribals alone. The Chief Minister said that this should be increased to one lakh hectares.

While Karnataka cultivates an average of 700kg per hectare, output coffee plantation in Visakha agency area stands as low as 170 kg per hectare.

The Chief Minister said that increasing coffee output in these areas would not only uplift and empower lives of tribals financially and socially but also bring a branding to AP in coffee productivity.

The Chief Minister said that the state should excel in coffee production and asked officials to come up with every possible way to push the state to a top position in coffee production.