Concerned over contamination of the groundwater and lakes due to excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, Indonesia has sought the support of the Andhra Pradesh government to replicate its success in Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).
Pilot project
“A.P. has performed exceedingly well in the field, and our government has requested it to help us to implement ZBNF as a pilot project,” Indonesia Consul General Ade Sukendar told
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Mr. Sukendar was here as part of a high-power delegation, comprising Consul (Economic Affairs) Yadi Suriahadi, Vice Consul Soemarjanto Karyasentika (Economic Affairs), Director of Indonesian Trade Promotion Center, Chennai, Kumara Jati, and Director of Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board, Abu Dhabi, D. Rizky Novihamzah, to interact with the members of the Vizagapatam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Indonesia Minister for Agriculture and Planning Sofyam A Djalil had visited Amaravati in November 2018 and discussed with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu the way forward in implementing ZBNF in his country. A team from A.P. is expected to visit Indonesia soon.
Mr. Suekendar said their teams had already visited West Godavari and other districts to have first-hand knowledge.
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A.P. at present is implementing ZBNF in six lakh acres and has plans to double it in the next two to three years.
Stating that there was immense scope to explore opportunities between Indonesia and A.P., he said they had identified agriculture, food processing industry, biotechnology, bulk drugs, pharmaceuticals, IT and ITeS, textile, leather, tourism, automotive and auto components, and education as the core areas for promotion of bilateral ties.
Massive investment
Mr. Sukendar said the Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), a part of Indonesian Sinar Mas Group, would invest ₹24,000 crore on a greenfield pulp and paper plant in Prakasam district. The MoU for the project was signed with the A.P. Economic Development Board recently.
“The project will be implemented in two phases. It will have a production capacity of five million tonne, for which 1,000 hectares will be required. The total investment equivalent to $3.5 billion will make it one of the largest FDIs in the country till date,” he said.
It is expected to provide direct employment to 4,000 people and indirect employment for 12,000. It will help increase income of over 50,000 pulpwood farmers of the region.
“APP’s decision to invest in Andhra Pradesh is a clear testament of our efforts to improve bilateral trade with India,” Mr. Sukendar said.