Parliament Question: Promotion of high value crops in Andhra Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2429 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/03/2026 PROMOTION OF HIGH VALUE CROPS IN ANDHRA PRADESH 2429. SHRI SANA SATHISH BABU: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) the area under cultivation of high-value crops such as cashew, coconut and cocoa, State- wise and district-wise in Andhra Pradesh and their share in total farm output; (b) the existing schemes aimed at enhancing productivity and farmers’ income for these crops, with crop-wise funds allocated, released and utilised in Andhra Pradesh and beneficiary details, district-wise; (c) whether the current Union Budget proposes exclusive support for these crops or convergence with existing schemes and fund allocation for the same; and (d) the measures envisaged to improve productivity, diversify output and enhance farmers’ income for these high value crops, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a): The State-wise area under cultivation of cashew, coconut and cocoa for the year 2024-25 is at Annexure-1. The primary districts for cashew, coconut and cocoa cultivation in Andhra Pradesh along with area under cultivation in each district for the year 2024-25 are detailed in Annexure-2. The share of cashew, coconut and cocoa in the total farm output of Andhra Pradesh is 0.45%, 3.86% and 0.04% respectively. (b): The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), plays a vital role for rise in the incomes of farmers/beneficiaries due to augmented production and productivity.Under MIDH, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, funds are being released to States/UTs and National Level Agencies as per the approved Annual Action Plan in two to four instalments during a financial year. Under the scheme, funds are not allocated and released specific crop- wise. The funds allocated, released and expenditure reported by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh under MIDH scheme during the last two years are as under: (Rs. in crore) Year Allocation Released Expenditure Central State’s Total (Central reported by the Share Share Share) State during the year 2024-25 65.00 43.33 108.33 51.13 23.79 2025-26 150.00 100.00 250.00 105.00 88.03 However, according to the Department of Horticulture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, for the year 2025-26, cashew-related projects were allocated Rs. 3.86 crore. Out of this amount, Rs. 2.42 crore was released, with 100% of the released funds (Rs. 2.42 crore) being utilized. A total of 3,616 beneficiaries received assistance. The major recipients of these funds are from the districts of Srikakulam, PVP Manyam, Eluru, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Vizianagaram and Alluri Seetharama Raju. In case of cocoa related projects, Rs. 9.46 crore funds were allocated. Out of this amount, Rs. 5.55 crore was released and 100% of the released fund was utilized i.e. Rs 5.55 crore. Total 3394 beneficiaries received support. The major recipients of these funds are the districts of Eluru, East Godavari, PVP Manyam and Srikakulam. Under Replantation and Rejuvenation of Coconut Gardens (utilization and maintenance) and laying out Demonstration Plots, financial assistance of Rs. 11.31 crore was targeted out of which Rs. 9.60 crore was achieved. Assistance was provided to 7153 beneficiaries majorly in the districts of DR.B.R.Ambedkar Konaseema, Srikakulam, Eluru, Vizianagaram and West Godavari. (c): The Union Budget 2026-27 prioritizes high-value agriculture to boost farmer income and diversify from staples, allocating ₹350 crore for specialized crops including coconut, cashew and cocoa. Key initiatives include the Coconut Promotion Scheme for enhancing productivity and value addition.(d): Under MIDH, the following measures have been envisaged to improve productivity, diversify output and enhance farmers’ income:  Increasing productivity through introduction of improved varieties, quality seeds and planting materials, protected cultivation, high density plantation, rejuvenation, precision farming and horticultural mechanization.  Promoting Primary and minimal processing.  Market Linkages: Market infrastructure such as mobile vending cart, retail outlet, primary and wholesale markets. Creating direct market/farmers market.  Food & Nutritional Security: Increasing Area and Production of horticulture crops with high nutritional value. Promoting sustainable horticulture.Annexure-1 Statement Annexed to part (a) of Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2429 due for answer on 13th March, 20026 regarding ‘Promotion of high value crops in Andhra Pradesh’ State-wise area under cultivation of Cashew, Coconut and Cocoa in the country for 2024-25 (Area in Thousand Ha) Sl. No. States Cashew Coconut Cocoa Andhra 1 201.02 108.48 47.06 Pradesh Arunachal 2 Pradesh 0.10 3 Assam 1.05 22.06 4 Bihar 0.27 5 Chhattisgarh 32.83 1.35 6 Gujarat 14.42 28.20 7 Jharkhand 15.58 8 Karnataka 139.44 600.79 14.41 9 Kerala 112.52 754.00 19.22 10 Maharashtra 192.62 29.22 11 Manipur 0.90 0.04 12 Meghalaya 8.93 13 Mizoram 0.03 14 Nagaland 1.50 1.06 15 Odisha 223.45 55.36 16 Tamil Nadu 176.44 505.53 33.36 17 Telangana 1.34 18 Tripura 4.25 4.98 19 West Bengal 14.55 33.63 20 Others 65.37 48.47 All India 1204.86 2194.92 114.04 Source: Horticulture Statistics Unit, D/o Agriculture & Farmers WelfareAnnexure-2 Statement Annexed to part (a) of Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2429 due for answer on 13th March, 2026 regarding ‘Promotion of high value crops in Andhra Pradesh’ The primary districts for cashew, coconut and cocoa cultivation in Andhra Pradesh along with area under cultivation in each district for the year 2024-25 Cashew Sl. No. District Area (in Ha) 1 Parvathipuram Manyam 27123 2 Anakapalli 26157 3 Alluri Seetharamaraju 23718 4 Srikakulam 19900 5 Kakinada 11824 6 East Godavari 10863 7 Eluru 7953 8 Vizianagaram 5919 9 Bapatla 1511 10 Visakhapatnam 635 Coconut Sl. No. District Area (in Ha) 1 DR.B.R.Ambedkar Konaseema 41607 2 Srikakulam 15331 3 Eluru 13925 4 West Godavari 8936 5 East Godavari 8598 6 Anakapalli 8216 7 Vizianagaram 3487 8 Kakinada 3151 9 Chittoor 1602 10 Krishna 941 Cocoa Sl. No. District Area (in Ha) 1 Eluru 19791 2 East Godavari 9305 3 West Godavari 2556 4 DR.B.R.Ambedkar Konaseema 1758 5 Parvathipuram Manyam 597 6 Srikakulam 429 7 Anakapalli 288 8 Kakinada 245 9 Vizianagaram 170 10 Krishna 111 Source: D/o Horticulture, Government of Andhra Pradesh *****