Rayalaseema To Receive Rs 1-Lakh Crore Integrated Horticulture Hub Boost
The Centre will provide Rs 40,000 crore in various forms under the Purvodaya scheme, while another Rs 60,000 crore is expected through private investments.
Tirupati: The AP government is planning to develop the drought-prone Rayalaseema as a high-value horticulture region by integrating irrigation, micro-irrigation, processing, storage, and market facilities. It has proposed Rs 1 lakh crore to create an integrated horticulture hub in the region. The project will cover the four erstwhile districts of Rayalaseema, besides Prakasam and Nellore. It is aimed at promoting horticulture in drought-prone areas, improving farm incomes, and creating more opportunities in the sector. Rayalaseema has traditionally depended on rain-fed agriculture, as water availability for irrigation remains limited. The proposed horticulture hub seeks to address this challenge by improving water availability through creating irrigation facilities and encouraging farmers to take up high-value horticulture, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and spices, which can provide better returns with less water. The government proposes modern micro-irrigation systems, processing units, cold storage facilities, and global market linkages to help farmers add value to their produce and access wider markets. For the purpose, the centre will provide Rs 40,000 crore in various forms under the Purvodaya scheme, while another Rs 60,000 crore is expected through private investments, according to a state government official. The project includes establishment of an Indian School of Agriculture (ISA) at Ramireddypalli in Nimmanapalle mandal in Annamayya district. To be started in association with the Reliance Group, the school will provide training and education in agriculture as part of the Rayalaseema Integrated Horticulture Development Plan. The state had signed an MoU with Reliance on August 3 for setting up the ISA, which will focus on use of artificial intelligence and digital tools in farming, climate-resilient agriculture, post-harvest systems and market intelligence. Further, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had sought the Centre’s support for the initiative during his recent meeting with union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. She will be laying the foundation stone for the horticulture hub at Madanapalle on October 2 along with the AP CM.
Andhra Pradesh has around 18.25 lakh hectares under horticulture crops. It produces about 360 metric tonnes of horticultural produce annually. The sector contributes Rs 1.5 lakh crore to the state’s GSDP and accounts for 16 per cent of its GVA, making Andhra Pradesh the fifth largest horticulture producer in the country. Rayalaseema contributes a significant share of the state’s horticulture production.
