Farmers from Guntur – known for its pungent, quality chilli – should make use of the facilities at the spices park at Vankalayapadu in the district to boost exports of the crop, according to Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Minister of State for Commerce.
She was speaking at the village on Monday after inaugurating the park in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandra Babu Naidu. She said her ministry and the Spices Board would extend all help in boosting export of quality chilli from Guntur. “Right now, Guntur accounts for 60-65 per cent of chilli exports from the country. But steps have to be taken to further improve the quality of the crop and increasing its yields. The Modi Government is committed to helping Andhra Pradesh in all respects,” she said.
AP Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu advised the farmers to reduce the use of pesticides in chilli cultivation, as residues would pose a major problem to increasing exports. He urged the Union Minister to extend help for improving export of other spices as well from Guntur.
AP Aseembly Speaker K. Siva Prasada Rao, who hails from the district, spoke of the need for modernising agriculture and introducing mechanisation to reduce costs and increase the return for the farmer.
State Agriculture Minister P. Pulla Rao said the park was set up in an extent of 124 acres and it would give direct an indirect employment to 3,000 people. It would give a shot in the arm for spices export from Guntur and neighbouring districts.