Minister Sandhyarani Directs GCC to Expand Araku Coffee Shops Across State
State Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Gummadi Sandhyarani, has instructed the Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) to open Araku Coffee shops in all 175 constituencies of Andhra Pradesh. The initiative aims to broaden the coffee brand’s presence both within the state and internationally, while also stimulating local economies and promoting tribal welfare.
In a review meeting held at the GCC office on Beach Road, Sandhyarani commended Araku Coffee, a flagship initiative by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, for its increasing global recognition. She emphasized the need to further elevate the brand’s international presence and improve the management of existing coffee centers, particularly those in Parliament and state assemblies.
Key GCC officials, including Chairman Kidari Shravan Kumar and Managing Director Kalpana Kumari, participated in the meeting where discussions revolved around boosting coffee sales, enhancing the welfare of tribal farmers, and tackling the growing threat of the beri borer pest in coffee plantations. Sandhyarani stressed the importance of taking proactive measures to safeguard the Araku Coffee brand and further enhance its marketability.
A significant part of the conversation centered on staffing shortages at the GCC. Sandhyarani suggested filling vacant positions with new appointments or temporary staff sourced from secretariats. Additionally, plans for constructing a 12-story building at the GCC headquarters, at an estimated cost of Rs. 84 crore, were also brought up for consideration.
On the issue of the beri borer pest, Sandhyarani assured affected farmers that the government would intervene by purchasing damaged coffee beans at standard prices and taking immediate pest control actions. She confirmed that 80 acres in Chintapalli were impacted but assured that corrective measures were already in place.
In a promising development, Sandhyarani announced the signing of 18 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with international organizations to help elevate Araku Coffee’s global profile. She also reiterated the government’s ongoing commitment to tribal welfare, with Rs. 7,500 crore allocated for development initiatives, including health programs and road construction projects.
The meeting concluded with a unified focus on expanding Araku Coffee’s global footprint while ensuring that the welfare of tribal farmers remains at the heart of these efforts.