WEF to set up its secretariat in AP

Partners with GoAP to make agriculture profitable

Hyderabad: World Economic Forum (WEF) has decided to establish a secretariat in Andhra Pradesh. The State government and WEF have decided to work together towards bringing in best practices from across the world, improve the value chain, increase the incomes of farmers and add value to allied activities through the secretariat

The WEF has already created sub groups to study and implement best agricultural practices in South America, Africa, Asia and Pacific regions. The studies from these groups will be implemented in Andhra Pradesh to enhance productivity, protection and profitability in agriculture.

The WEF and GoAP partnership would implement an agenda to make agriculture profitable and commercially viable. Participating in a session on 'The New Vision for Agriculture: Advancing the Action Agenda', Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu explained the State government’s vision to create a knowledgeable, technology-abled farmers’ community in the State.

He explained that the government has launched Primary Sector Mission aiming towards inclusive agriculture that can assure a green, thriving and food secure AP. “The mission focuses on making agriculture sustainable and profitable through ecologically sensible practices,” he said.

Elaborating on the irrigation initiatives, he explained to the delegates how he has made the impossible possible by linking Godavari and Krishna rivers. “Drought-free State is my aim and in my efforts to irrigate lakhs of hectares of farmlands, I have taken up the gargantuan task of linking Godavari and Krishna rivers.

With perseverance and hard work of our officials on the field, we have made this rare feat possible,” he said. In efforts towards recharging the ground water levels, Naidu said that Andhra Pradesh has taken the lead in digging farm ponds and disbursement of the Soil Health Cards to farmers.

He said that the government has assessed the impact of water management on agriculture and allied activities in the State. “In addition, we are also earmarking clusters/hubs for crops identified as growth engines,” he added.

He also explained the brave step taken by his government for the debt redemption for farmers despite starting off with a revenue deficit. “To protect farmers’ interests, our government has constituted the Farmers' Empowerment Corporation to ensure welfare of all farmers in the State,” he said.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who was a participant in the session, appreciated Naidu’s vision to empower farmers and making farming sustainable and profitable. The Chief Minister has also praised Ethiopian PM's initiative of creating Agriculture Promotion Council that has boosted agricultural productivity in Ethiopia.

Delegates in the session were all praise for the Naidu and his vision towards making agriculture a profitable and sustainable vocation. Inger Anderson, Director General, International Union for Conservation of Nature; Kofi Annan, Chairman, Kofi Annan Foundation; Mike Barry, Director, Sustainable Business, Marks & Spencer; David Cheesewright, President, CEO, Walmart; Flemming Besenbacher, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Carlsberg A/S; Paul Bulcke, CEO Nestle and Winnie Byanmyima, CEO Oxfam International were among the participants.