Atchannaidu Hails Record Rise in Chilli, Oil Palm Prices

Agriculture in Andhra Pradesh is becoming increasingly profitable , with chilli and oil palm farmers in particular enjoying a good year, State Agriculture and Marketing Minister Kinjaraapu Atchannaidu said.

Recalling last year’s steep fall in chilli prices, the Minister said the government intervention and consultations with the Centre helped support distressed farmers. He noted that the situation has changed completely this year due to the coalition government’s positive decisions and crop diversification , resulting in stable markets and improved farmer confidence.

The Minister said the government was giving special focus to chilli cultivation . Chilli is grown across about 2.67 lakh acres in Palnadu, Guntur, Prakasam and Kurnool districts, with an estimated production of 5.39 lakh metric tonnes this season. He pointed out that chilli prices have increased from ₹12,500–₹13,500 per quintal earlier to ₹15,000–₹19,500 now.

On oil palm cultivation, Mr. Atchannaidu said Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a national role model . About 1.97 lakh farmers are cultivating oil palm across 2.49 lakh hectares . Strict implementation of the Oil Extraction Ratio policy has resulted in an average price of ₹19,579 per metric tonne , the highest in a decade. Over ₹134 crore has been directly credited to farmers’ accounts.

Criticising former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy , the Minister alleged that negative statements during price crashes weakened markets and harmed farmers. He said the coalition government now aims to implement drip irrigation across one lakh hectares every year . He added that Rayalaseema is being developed as a horticulture hub , while North Andhra is being promoted for coffee and cashew cultivation under the ‘Purvodaya’ initiative .