The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Noida-based agri enterprise, Ace Agri Business Private Limited, to strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the State and expand their marketing network.

The agreement was formalised in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Industries, Commerce and Food Processing Minister T.G. Bharath, who said the initiative would help organise farmer producer groups and provide them with improved access to national and international markets.

The partnership, entered into by the Andhra Pradesh Food Processing Society and Ace Agri Business Private Limited, was aimed at enhancing market linkages, establishing food processing units, promoting value-added agricultural products, and providing training programmes for farmers.

Mr. Bharath said the collaboration would particularly focus on high-value crops such as cocoa, coffee, coconut, dry chilli, turmeric and pepper. Dedicated marketing networks would be developed through FPOs to improve market access and returns for growers of these crops, he added.

The Minister said the initiative was expected to create better opportunities for value addition and processing, enabling farmers to secure improved incomes while enhancing the State’s food processing ecosystem.

The programme was attended by Principal Secretary (Food Processing) Chiranjeev Choudhary, Industries and Commerce Secretary Yuvaraj, Food Processing Society Chief Executive Officer Shekhar Babu Geddam, APIIC Managing Director Dinesh Kumar, and Ace Agri Business CEO Triveni Sati.