Global Market Should Get Our Popcorn, Says CM Chandrababu

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visited Musunuru in Eluru district on Monday and unveiled Garme Popcorn’s non-GMO hybrid maize seeds along with Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Governor S. Abdul Nazeer. He later inspected the popcorn processing plant and observed the manufacturing process. Speaking at a meeting with farmers, Chandrababu appreciated Garme Popcorn for producing non-GMO hybrid seeds domestically in collaboration with farmers.

The Chief Minister said around 17,500 farmers are cultivating the non-GMO hybrid maize crop across nearly 40,000 acres. He noted that the company has established one of India’s largest popcorn processing plants near Musunuru and has a significant share in the country’s popcorn production. He said the entire process, from seeds and mechanised farming to technology and procurement from farmers, has been organised systematically.

Chandrababu said popcorn grown in the Nuzvid region is already reaching different parts of India and overseas markets. He emphasised that agricultural produce should be processed, value-added and exported under strong Indian brands instead of depending on imports. He called upon farmers to look towards food processing and said products such as Andhra popcorn, Araku coffee and Kondapalli wooden toys should reach global markets. He also said steps would be taken to promote Andhra popcorn and Araku coffee through counters at railway stations.