Indigenous popcorn maize seed launched in Andhra Pradesh
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday unveiled India's first non-GMO high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed at Musunuru in Eluru district, marking a milestone in domestic popcorn production. The launch took place at the Gourmet Popcornica factory, where the Vice President felicitated farmers and interacted with agricultural stakeholders.
Chief Minister Naidu hailed the development as a matter of pride and a significant step towards achieving self-sufficiency in domestic popcorn production. According to the Chief Minister's Office, Naidu congratulated Gourmet Popcornica for developing and unveiling the indigenous seed, saying the initiative could strengthen domestic production and reduce dependence on imported varieties.
The seed was developed locally in the Nuzvid region to suit Indian soil and climatic conditions. The hybrid varieties, named Krisna459 and Godari234, were bred by crossing selected parent maize plants, not through genetic engineering. The varieties were reportedly trial-tested across five growing seasons in partnership with leading maize research institutions in India.
A local enterprise's journey
The Vice President lauded the journey of S B P Pattabhi Rama Rao and Gourmet Popcornica, which he described as having grown from a homegrown enterprise in Andhra Pradesh into a major popcorn maize processing enterprise. Gourmet Popcornica was established by S.B.P. Pattabhi Rama Rao in 2014, and its facility in Musunuru is said to be one of Asia's largest popcorn processing centres. More than 17,500 farmers across eight states, cultivating nearly 40,000 acres, are part of the Gourmet Popcornica initiative.
Reducing import dependence
Speaking at the event, the Vice President said India had for years depended on imported hybrid technology for high-quality popcorn maize, and the new indigenous hybrid marks an important step towards reducing such dependence and conserving foreign exchange. The move comes as India continues to import a significant share of its popcorn kernels from countries like Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa.
The Vice President also appreciated the union Government's farmer-centric initiatives, including PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission, and Namo Drone Didi. He commended Chief Minister Naidu for his initiatives in agriculture and rural development, such as Rythu Bazaars, promotion of horticulture and natural farming, and farmer-centric support systems.
Radhakrishnan said farmers are the backbone of the nation and agriculture has shaped India's civilisational and cultural life. His visit to Musunuru came days after he inaugurated 'MALHAR 2026', a youth-centric, monsoon-themed celebration of Indian classical music organised by Antar Hriday Connect in New Delhi on August 21, where he urged youth to become custodians of India's cultural heritage.