Vice-President launches India’s first non-GMO high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched India’s first non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed at Musunuru in Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh, calling the development an important step towards self-reliance in agriculture.

The Vice-President also felicitated top-performing farmers from Andhra Pradesh and seven other states, along with partners associated with Gourmet Popcornica.

Focus on Indigenous Seed Development

Addressing the gathering, Radhakrishnan highlighted the role of technology, innovation and indigenous seed development in strengthening Indian agriculture.

He said India had earlier depended on imported hybrid technology for high-quality popcorn maize. The new indigenous hybrid could help reduce this dependence, conserve foreign exchange and provide an Indian-developed option with potential for global markets.

The Vice-President appreciated Gourmet Popcornica and farmers for developing the hybrid in India and taking the product towards wider markets.

17,500 Farmers Part of the Initiative

The initiative has brought together more than 17,500 farmers across eight states, cultivating nearly 40,000 acres, according to the information shared at the event.

Radhakrishnan highlighted the journey of Gourmet Popcornica from a homegrown enterprise in Andhra Pradesh to a major popcorn maize processing enterprise, saying the farmer-enterprise partnership can strengthen market access and create income opportunities for farming families.

Technology and Innovation to Drive Agriculture

The Vice-President said farmers remain central to India's development and stressed the need to combine farming knowledge with technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

He also highlighted government initiatives including PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission and Namo Drone Didi.

He appreciated Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's initiatives in agriculture and rural development, including Rythu Bazaars, horticulture and natural farming.

From Seed to Global Markets

Radhakrishnan said the development at Musunuru shows how indigenous technology, entrepreneurship and farmer partnerships can contribute to a more self-reliant and globally competitive agricultural sector.

He also visited the Gourmet Popcornica factory and cold storage facility, where he was briefed about maize processing, quality control, packaging and storage.

The programme was attended by Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, state ministers and representatives of Gourmet Popcornica.

suggest the category, meta title, meta keywords and meta description and write short description of the same