A group of Kerala ministers, who visited Andhra Pradesh, have shown keen interest towards the natural farming system being implemented here and expressed the desire to follow the same pattern in their state. The ministers, who inspected the areas where natural farming is being implemented in AP at the field level, later met with Agriculture Minister Atchannaidu.
They said that they are ready to start natural farming in Kerala. Atchannaidu explained to the Kerala team that certification and traceability are very important in natural farming. He said that special attention is being paid to analyzing soil health in AP.
The coalition government in AP is promoting the natural farming policy. Recently, CM Chandrababu Naidu also made it clear that natural farming will be expanded to 50 lakh acres in the next four years and that Andhra Pradesh will be transformed into the address of natural farming.
Chandrababu said that the food we eat is medicine and the kitchen is the pharmacy. He said that if we follow it properly, we will find a solution to health problems and our health will be in our hands. That is why, he revealed that natural farming will be promoted in AP.
Minister Atchannaidu responded to the arrival of the Kerala ministers through social media. He said that Andhra Pradesh is a model for natural farming in the country. Kerala Agriculture Minister P. Prasad revealed that he had held a meeting with the officials of that state. He said that they discussed the development of natural farming in the state of Kerala, the implementation of natural farming in Andhra Pradesh and other issues.
Earlier, the minister held a meeting with officials on the remunerative prices of cocoa crops in the state. The minister suggested that traders and processing companies should pay attention to ensuring that farmers get remunerative prices.
The minister ordered that prices for quality cocoa crops should be in line with international prices. The minister questioned why traders and processing companies are now mentioning the issue of quality and grading, which has not been discussed for 25 years. Minister Atchannaidu suggested that traders and processing companies should answer on the payment of prices soon.
