Global companies to be part of Ananta Horticulture Conclave today
Horticulture orchards are spread over more than 1.04 lakh hectares in Anantapur district alone. They produced 25.96 lakh metric tonnes, topping the state in fruit production last year

Anantapur: At least 64 organisations, including international companies, will participate in the Ananta Horticulture Conclave scheduled on Wednesday in Anantapur at the MYR Function Hall to promote Rayalaseema as the fruit bowl of Andhra Pradesh.
Anantapur collector Dr. B. Vinod Kumar told Deccan Chronicle that the conclave will highlight the rich quality of fruits that can be grown in the region, including Anantapur district, due to the soil being suitable for growing several kinds of fruits.
“Already, our bananas have a huge demand in Middle East countries. The district’s musk melon and papaya are much sought after in New Delhi and other north Indian markets. We are organising the conclave to spread word within the global market through multinational companies, which will also be participating in the deliberations,” the collector underlined.
Horticulture orchards are spread over more than 1.04 lakh hectares in Anantapur district alone. They produced 25.96 lakh metric tonnes, topping the state in fruit production last year.
Delegates from 16 corporates, including those of Spain and The Netherlands, will be part of the conclave. Six of these companies have already agreed to enter into MoUs with the district administration on producing and marketing fruits internationally.
The conclave will be spread over three sessions – pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest.
“Discussions with CEOs of food processing participating in the conclave will be centred on cold storages, processing and maintaining quality of fruits,” Vinod Kumar stated.
Finance minister Payyavula Kesav will participate in the conclave and interact with both farmers and representatives of various companies.
As part of Swarnandhra-2047, district administration has identified five growth engine products – banana, sweet orange, red chilli, mango and tomato – to attain a 17 per cent growth rate in the coming five years.
The collector recalled that a banana farmer used to earn only ₹5,000 per tonne in 2016–17. But after the banana market has spread to Middle East countries, the fruit is now fetching ₹25,000 per tonne.
“An average farmer is earning ₹3–4 lakh on an acre,” Vinod Kumar added.