Vice President Launches India’s First Non-GMO Popcorn Maize Hybrid in Andhra Pradesh

National News (24/08/2026): Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Monday launched India’s first non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed at Musunuru in Eluru district, marking a major step towards strengthening indigenous agricultural technology and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The hybrid seed, developed by Gourmet Popcornica, is aimed at reducing India’s dependence on imported hybrid technology for high-quality popcorn maize. Speaking at the launch, the Vice President said the development reflected the potential of Indian farmers, scientists and entrepreneurs to create homegrown solutions capable of competing in global markets.

Focus on technology, innovation and self-reliance

Addressing the gathering, Vice President Radhakrishnan described farmers as the backbone of the nation and emphasised that agriculture has played a central role in India’s civilisational and cultural development.

He stressed the need to integrate technology, innovation and indigenous seed development into agriculture to improve productivity, strengthen farmer incomes and reduce dependence on imported agricultural technologies.

The Vice President noted that India had for years relied on imported hybrid technology for high-quality popcorn maize. The newly launched indigenous hybrid, he said, represents an important move towards reducing such dependence while also helping conserve foreign exchange.

He praised Gourmet Popcornica and participating farmers for developing a solution on Indian soil with the potential to serve both domestic and international markets.

Over 17,500 farmers part of the enterprise

Highlighting the scale of the farmer-enterprise partnership, Radhakrishnan said more than 17,500 farmers across eight states, cultivating nearly 40,000 acres, are associated with the Gourmet Popcornica initiative.

He also praised the journey of S.B.P. Pattabhi Rama Rao and Gourmet Popcornica, describing it as an example of how a homegrown enterprise can expand into a major popcorn maize processing business while creating stronger market linkages and income opportunities for thousands of farming families.

“A small beginning should lead to a big vision and a big dream,” the Vice President said while highlighting the company’s journey from Andhra Pradesh to markets beyond India.

Government initiatives for farmers highlighted

The Vice President also appreciated several farmer-focused initiatives of the Union Government, including PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission and Namo Drone Didi.

He commended Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for initiatives aimed at strengthening agriculture and rural development, including Rythu Bazaars, promotion of horticulture and natural farming, and various farmer-centric support mechanisms.

Radhakrishnan said the vision of a developed India would emerge “from the ground” — from the soil cultivated by farmers, seeds developed through scientific innovation and entrepreneurship, and greater self-reliance achieved acre by acre.

Vice President visits processing facility

Before the programme, the Vice President visited the Gourmet Popcornica factory and cold storage facility in Musunuru. He was briefed on various stages of maize processing, quality control, packaging and storage.

He also felicitated high-performing farmers from Andhra Pradesh and seven other states, along with partners associated with Gourmet Popcornica.

The event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, state ministers Nara Lokesh, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu and Kolusu Parthasarathy, along with other dignitaries, farmers and representatives of Gourmet Popcornica.
The launch is being viewed as an important development in India’s efforts to promote indigenous seed technology, agricultural innovation, farmer-enterprise partnerships and self-reliance in the agri sector.

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