District Collector Sumit Kumar instructed the officials on Wednesday to submit an action plan to achieve the ambitious target of 10 lakh litres daily milk production in Kuppam constituency by 2028 and to improve performance in agriculture and allied sectors.

Addressing a meeting at the Kuppam Area Development Authority (KADA) office here, the Collector reviewed the functioning of Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, and Animal Husbandry departments. The KADA project director, Vikas Marmat, Palamaner, Kuppam, and Madanapalle Urban Development Authority (PKMUDA) chairman Suresh, and officials from Kuppam Municipality, Kuppam, Ramakuppam, Gudupalle, and Shantipuram mandals attended the meeting.

The Collector asked the officials to focus on fodder development through community-based programmes to improve feed availability for livestock. He said steps should be taken to encourage farmers in diversified areas of natural farming, horticulture, floriculture, and sericulture activities.

In the horticulture sector, officials were asked to conduct awareness programmes on high-value crops such as dragon fruit and blueberry, along with conventional crops like mango, tomato, and banana. Mr. Sumit Kumar advised the farmers to reduce paddy cultivation and adapt to alternative crops such as millets, pulses, and groundnut.

Mr. Sumit Kumar directed the departments to coordinate with banks and farmer associations to identify model farmers and extend incentives. The officials of the Sericulture department were told to increase the number of automatic reeling units and rearing sheds and promote silk production through women’s groups. He said efforts should be made to develop Kuppam into a silk hub by 2027.