At Downuru village in Koyyuru mandal of ASR district, Deputy Chief Minister Peedika Rajanna Dora laid the cornerstone for a Rs 3-crore integrated coffee processing unit.

For the first time in the nation, a public sector institution is establishing a coffee processing facility.

Local MLAs K. Bhagyalakshmi and Chetti Palguna, MP G. Madhavi, and ZP chairwoman J. Subhadra were in attendance, as well as the regional coordinator for the YSRC, Y.V. Subba Reddy.

The coffee processing unit will have machinery with latest technology. The machinery will refine, roast, grind and pack coffee. Establishment of the unit will provide employment to the tribal jobless youth of the region, Rajanna Dora said.

Coffee plantations have come up in 11 mandals of Paderu agency area covering more than one lakh acres. The coffee grown by tribals is being marketed through tribal cooperatives.