Andhra Pradesh Pushes for Agricultural and Infrastructure Advancements

Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh met with Union ministers in New Delhi, advocating for the establishment of cashew, chilli, and mango boards to benefit local farmers. Lokesh also discussed IT development and sought support for various port projects, emphasizing the growth potential of the state's maritime infrastructure.

In a concerted effort to advance agricultural and infrastructure development in Andhra Pradesh, IT Minister Nara Lokesh met with key Union ministers in New Delhi on Monday. Lokesh sought the establishment of cashew, chilli, and mango boards to improve farmer incomes through improved processing, modernisation, and fair trade practices.

During his visit, Lokesh specifically requested Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to approve a cashew board in Srikakulam, emphasizing Andhra Pradesh's position as the second-highest cashew producer in the country. He also advocated for boards in Guntur for chilli farmers and in Chittoor for mango exporters to enhance global market competitiveness.

Moreover, Lokesh met with other ministers, including Ashwini Vaishnaw to discuss IT sector growth, and Sarbananda Sonowal to urge expedited development of the Dugarajapatnam port as part of the Sagarmala project. His discussions covered the allocation of ₹200 crore for port upgrades and biodiversity conservation across various key ports in the state.