Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched India’s first indigenous non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid in Andhra Pradesh.
The locally developed seed aims to reduce reliance on imported hybrid technology and create new opportunities for farmers and food-processing enterprises.
Highlights
- India gets its first indigenous non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid
- Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan launches the seed in Andhra Pradesh
- Gourmet Popcornica developed the homegrown popcorn maize hybrid
- New variety aims to reduce dependence on imported hybrid technology
- Over 17,500 farmers across eight States are associated with the company’s network
- Farmer network covers nearly 40,000 acres of cultivation
- Indigenous hybrid could support farmer incomes and conserve foreign exchange
India has launched its first non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed, marking a significant step towards reducing the country’s dependence on imported hybrid technology for high-quality popcorn maize.
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched the indigenous hybrid at Musunuru in Andhra Pradesh’s Eluru district. The seed has been developed by Andhra Pradesh-based Gourmet Popcornica.
Addressing the gathering, Radhakrishnan said indigenous seed development, technology and innovation can strengthen agricultural productivity, support farmer incomes and reduce India’s dependence on imports.
India has depended on imported hybrid technology for producing high-quality popcorn maize for several years. The development of a domestic hybrid could help reduce this dependence, conserve foreign exchange and provide Indian agricultural enterprises with opportunities to compete in global markets.
The initiative also highlights growing collaboration between farmers and agricultural enterprises. According to the Vice-President, more than 17,500 farmers across eight States, cultivating nearly 40,000 acres, are currently part of the Gourmet Popcornica network.
Radhakrishnan highlighted the journey of S B P Pattabhi Rama Rao and Gourmet Popcornica from a homegrown Andhra Pradesh enterprise to a popcorn maize processing business working closely with farming communities on cultivation and market access.
The Vice-President linked the development with the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat objective, stressing that agricultural self-reliance requires stronger domestic capabilities in seeds, technology and production.
He also referred to government programmes such as PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission and Namo Drone Didi while highlighting initiatives aimed at supporting agriculture and rural development.
Farmers from Andhra Pradesh and seven other States, along with partners associated with Gourmet Popcornica, were felicitated during the programme.
Radhakrishnan also visited the company’s factory and cold storage facility, where he was briefed about maize processing, quality control, packaging and storage.
The indigenous popcorn maize hybrid could strengthen India’s domestic agricultural value chain by connecting seed technology, farming, processing and market access. It could also open new opportunities for farmers while reducing dependence on imported technology.
