Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan launched India's first non-GMO high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed developed by Gourmet Popcornica at Musunuru in Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh on August 24, 2026. The indigenous hybrid seed represents a significant step towards reducing India's dependence on imported hybrid technology for high-quality popcorn maize, which the Vice-President noted had been ongoing for years. This development aims to conserve foreign exchange while creating Indian-grown solutions with global market competitiveness potential.
The initiative involves substantial farmer participation, with more than 17,500 farmers across eight states cultivating nearly 40,000 acres as part of Gourmet Popcornica's farmer-enterprise partnership. The company, founded by Shri S.B.P. Pattabhi Rama Rao, has grown from a homegrown enterprise in Andhra Pradesh to a major popcorn maize processing operation that strengthens market access and income opportunities for thousands of farming families.
The Vice-President emphasized the importance of technology, innovation, and indigenous seed development in transforming Indian agriculture, describing the initiative as reflecting Aatmanirbhar Bharat in its fullest form. He commended Union Government's farmer-centric initiatives including PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, National Food Security and Nutrition Mission, and Namo Drone Didi. He also praised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu for visionary initiatives in agriculture and rural development, including Rythu Bazaars, promotion of horticulture and natural farming, and farmer-centric support systems.
The event was attended by Governor of Andhra Pradesh Shri S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Ministers of the Government of Andhra Pradesh Shri Nara Lokesh, Shri Kinjarapu Atchannaidu and Shri Kolusu Parthasarathy, along with other dignitaries. The Vice-President also visited the Gourmet Popcornica factory and cold storage facility, where he was briefed on maize processing, quality control, packaging, and storage operations.