Shri. M. Girija Shankar, IAS, Secretary to Hon’ble Chief Minister, AP & Secretary, Food Processing and his team visited ICAR- NRC Banana to explore opportunities in the banana supply chain including export and value addition in continuation to the MoU signed with the institute by the AP Govt in the presence of Dr. Chandrababu Naidu. He said, with the budgetary allocation of over 300 crores and the separate ministry, food processing in Andhra Pradesh becomes the sunrise sector and took a lead in developing more than 300 small scale enterprises during the past four years and became a model for other states to emulate. While showcasing the NRCB technologies, Dr. S. Uma, Director of the Institute emphasized the success of shipments to Italy and West Asia through sea route for banana. Director assured that NRCB shall extend helps in developing “Banana Board” to improve the fruit industry in Andhra Pradesh. Possible technological backstopping for the value chain development in Banana, creation of Farmer producers Companies, using of banana wastes like fibre, central stem, peel and flower, preparation of sustainable project for MSME are given major thrust in the meeting which was attended by the scientists and the stakeholders comprising FPOs, exporters and entrepreneurs. Dr. B. Padmanabhan welcomed the guests and Dr. P. Suresh Kumar has given the vote of thanks.