A Mega Project That Could Change Rayalaseema!

Andhra Pradesh is set to launch one of its biggest horticulture development initiatives in Rayalaseema, with the NDA government planning a Rs 1 lakh crore Global Horticulture Hub (GHH) covering 10 districts.

The project will involve around Rs 40,352 crore in government spending, while another Rs 60,000 crore is expected to come through private investments. The initiative is aimed at transforming Rayalaseema into a major horticulture production, processing and export destination.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, CM Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan are expected to launch the project in Madanapalle, with Minister Nara Lokesh and several other leaders attending the programme.

The GHH will cover Anantapur, Annamayya, Chittoor, Kurnool, Nandyal, Sri Sathya Sai, Tirupati, Kadapa, Prakasam and Markapur districts. The government plans to develop 201 clusters covering 303 mandals and 5,869 villages.

The plan is designed around a seed-to-shipment model, covering everything from cultivation and irrigation to processing, logistics and exports. The government wants to expand horticulture cultivation from the existing 8.41 lakh hectares to around 14.41 lakh hectares and increase production capacity from 222 lakh metric tonnes to 435 lakh metric tonnes.

Around 9.6 lakh farmers are expected to benefit directly from the project. The government also plans to create new irrigation potential for nearly 9 lakh acres and stabilise another 4.3 lakh acres.

The project will be implemented in three phases and six packages, with completion targeted by June 2029. Of the planned government expenditure, around Rs 20,884 crore is proposed for irrigation, Rs 15,000 crore for horticulture development and Rs 4,562 crore for roads.

Irrigation projects, restoration of minor irrigation tanks and drip irrigation will form a major part of the programme. The plan also includes completing key works linked to projects such as Velugonda Phase-2, Handri-Neeva and Galeru-Nagari.

Road connectivity will also receive significant attention, with around 5,721 km of rural roads planned to connect farms with markets and processing centres.

The government is looking to promote crops such as mango, banana, tomato, pomegranate, dragon fruit, avocado and berries. Food processing units, export infrastructure and private investments are expected to be encouraged alongside the cultivation expansion.

Farmer Producer Organisations will also be connected with processing facilities so that farmers can participate more directly in the value chain.

The broader objective is to build on Andhra Pradesh’s reputation as a major agricultural state and give Rayalaseema a stronger identity as a fruit production and export hub.

Another major initiative will also be launched in Madanapalle with the proposed Indian School of Agriculture. The institution is being planned as a technology-focused centre for modern agriculture, with Reliance Industries expected to support its operations.

The school will focus on areas such as digital agriculture, precision farming, crop monitoring, smart irrigation and market intelligence. It is also expected to guide farmers on demand-driven crops and provide technology-based solutions to challenges in agriculture and horticulture.

The proposed institution will additionally promote agricultural startups and incubation centres, creating a platform for new technologies and business ideas in the farming sector.