Naidu launches ‘Araku Kouni,’ first tribal millet based food menu

Chief Minister Naidu launches ‘Araku Kouni,’ a tribal millet-based food menu celebrating Andhra Pradesh's culinary heritage and promoting tribal diets.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched ‘Araku Kouni’, the first tribal millet-based food menu of the State, during the Collectors’ Conference at the Secretariat on Thursday. The initiative marks a major step in integrating traditional millet-based diets into mainstream food culture while celebrating the State’s rich tribal culinary heritage.

The ‘Araku Kouni’ menu features authentic tribal recipes sourced directly from the indigenous communities of Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district. Dishes such as Korra Payasam, Ragi Chapati, Samala Pulihora, Kantla Ambali, corn vada, and toor dal curry reflect the deep-rooted food traditions of Araku’s farmlands and forest regions.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to tribal development. The ASR District administration spearheaded the initiative with support from Tribal anganwadi workers, the Indian Culinary Institute, Tirupati and the Department of Tourism. All ingredients on the menu are cultivated in naturally rich environments, free from chemical fertilisers and pesticides.The district tourism team, in collaboration with the Indian Culinary Institute, Tirupati has documented the recipes, nutritional values, calorific indices, and wellness attributes of ‘Araku Kouni’ dishes.

The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) will introduce ‘Araku Kouni’ in all Haritha restaurants across ASR district and it will also be extend to other tourism chains in the State.