CALAMITY CAN BE TURNED AS AN OPPORTUNITY – PRAWN CULTURE AP with estimated shrimp production of 5.8 LMT/Year is the leading producer and with more than 90% material getting exported, plays vital role in global shrimp markets. The present corona effect is showing heavy toll on the state, in case timely interventions are not put into action. With drastic reduction in exports, we need to look at localized solutions such as improved cold storage facilities, inward receipt finance facility through banks etc., local sales other than working towards fast opening of exports. By addressing such important supply chain issues only one can stipulate processing units to buy at minimum support price, but it cannot be mandated on them, as it will never be binding on them.         The experience of Sri Prasad Raju, Progressive shrimp farmer from Krishna dist is unique and its worth replicating. Raju have ready to harvest shrimp in 1600 acres and feeding most them further will be an added bu

MILK MARKETING IN AP –ROADBLOCKS IN CRISIS SITUATION Introduction: Andhra Pradesh with over 1.1 million tons milk production in a year figures in top 5 milk producing states in India.   Once very strong state for cooperative dairies, subsequently became testing ground for MAC act, producer companies’ act and the end result is near disappearance of Coop brand Vijaya and Federation milk procurement reaching record low of 25000 litres/day. The very fact that the presence of private dairies is highest in AP shows that how the political system killed cooperatives, converted few cooperatives into family controlled producer companies with blessing of the rulers at that point of time. Heritage with coterie of family controlled producer companies completely spoiled and disturbed the three tier dairy cooperative system. The end result is unhealthy competition, monopoly of private dairies, coterie operations in milk pricing. In the process the milk rates paid are lowest when compar

VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS FOR BANANA IN AP Present status AP stands first in the nation in banana cultivation with 2.6 lakh acres under cultivation with 64 lakh MT production. Rayalseema with Pulivendala as hub emerged as major cultivator of Robusta variety (green banana). The other varieties grown in the state are Chekkarakeli, Karpuram, and Amruthapani. Certain pockets in Krishna-Godavari delta, Nandyal area of Kurnool and Salur area of Vijayanagaram are known for growing these varieties.     About 25000 MT of green banana from Rayalseema region is getting exported to Middle East and still have great export potential. Progressive farmers from Rayalseema with moral support from late YSR could break the dominance of Nanded variety in Delhi market and penetrated to north markets through Delhi. The advantage of Rayalseema green banana to Nanded variety is its keeping quality, as it is grown in red soils with scanty rain fall. Existing markets:       AP state has about 2