Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Aug 24: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan today launched India's first non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed at Musunuru in Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh, describing it as a significant step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in agriculture. He also felicitated best-performing farmers from Andhra Pradesh and seven other States and partners associated with Gourmet Popcornica.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President said farmers are the backbone of the nation and agriculture has shaped India's civilisational and cultural life. He emphasised the importance of technology, innovation and indigenous seed development in strengthening Indian agriculture.
Referring to the launch, C.P. Radhakrishnan said India had for years depended on imported hybrid technology for high-quality popcorn maize. The new indigenous hybrid, he said, marks an important step towards reducing such dependence and conserving foreign exchange. He commended Gourmet Popcornica and farmers for developing an Indian solution, grown on Indian soil, with the potential to compete in global markets.
The Vice-President appreciated Union Government's farmer-centric initiatives, including PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, National Food Security and Nutrition Mission and Namo Drone Didi. He also commended Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for his visionary initiatives in agriculture and rural development, including Rythu Bazaars, promotion of horticulture and natural farming, and farmer-centric support systems.
Highlighting the scale of the farmer-enterprise partnership, C.P. Radhakrishnan said that more than 17,500 farmers across eight States, cultivating nearly 40,000 acres, are part of the Gourmet Popcornica journey. He lauded the journey of S.B.P. Pattabhi Rama Rao and Gourmet Popcornica from a homegrown enterprise in Andhra Pradesh to a major popcorn maize processing enterprise, strengthening market access and income opportunities for thousands of farming families.
The Vice-President said a developed India will be built "from the ground"- from the soil cultivated by farmers, the seeds perfected by scientists and entrepreneurs, and the self-reliance strengthened acre by acre. He said the Musunuru initiative demonstrates how innovation, entrepreneurship and farmer partnerships can create a stronger, more self-reliant and globally competitive agricultural sector.
Upon his arrival, the Vice-President also visited the Gourmet Popcornica factory and cold storage facility, where he was briefed on maize processing, quality control, packaging and storage.
The programme was attended by Governor of Andhra Pradesh S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Ministers of the Government of Andhra Pradesh Nara Lokesh, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu and Kolusu Parthasarathy, along with other dignitaries and representatives of Gourmet Popcornica. |
