Aqua sector in Andhra Pradesh set to get Rs 646-crore boost

VIJAYAWADA: The state government will set up 10 processing units, 23 pre-processing units and 100 aqua hubs for the welfare and development of aqua farmers and fishermen.

The officials during a review meeting on Agri Infra Fund projects at the
camp office here on Tuesday conducted by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan
Reddy explained the projects in detail. They stated that the state
government had already sanctioned 25 aqua hubs out of 100 and works would
start in this month. It is estimated that cost of 133 processing,
pre-processing units and aqua hubs would be around Rs 646.9 crore.

Regarding the food processing sector, the officials informed that a total of
10,111 food processing units would be set up in the state and seed and
millets processing units would be set up at panchayat level. Primary and
secondary food processing units would also be set up. Crops, which have
scope for food processing,  were identified in 25 parliamentary
constituencies and lands are being identified accordingly for setting up
units. The target is to complete the construction of food processing units
by the end of June next year.

Explaining about the custom hiring centres, the officials stated that a
total of 10,750 centres were being set up at Rythu Bharosa Kendra (RBKs)
level in the state and each unit would cost Rs 15 lakh. Hi-tech and
high-value farm mechanisation hubs would come up at 175 locations at
Assembly constituency level and the cost of each hub would be around Rs 1.5
crore. Special clusters were identified in four districts where paddy
production is high and five Custom hiring centers will be set up at Cluster
level for a mandal in those districts. A total of 1,035 cluster level Custom
hiring Centers with an estimated cost of Rs 25 lakh each will be set up.

Agriculture Minister Kurasala Kannababu, Agriculture Special Chief Secretary
Poonam Malakondaiah, Industries Special Chief Secretary Karikal Valaven,
Finance Principal Secretary S. .S Rawath, Marketing Principal Secretary Y.
Madhusudan Reddy, Marketing Commissioner Pradhyumna, APDDCF Director Ahmed Babu, Agriculture Commissioner H. Arun Kumar, Fisheries Commissioner K. Kannababu, Horticulture Commissioner S.F. Sridhar and other officials were present.