Andhra Pradesh is preparing to launch a proposed Rs 1 lakh crore horticulture hub in Rayalaseema on Friday, with the project aimed at expanding fruit cultivation, improving irrigation and building links between farms, processing units and export markets across the region.
The project will be formally launched at Madanapalle in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is also expected to attend, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle.
The proposed hub will cover 10 districts, 303 mandals and 5,869 villages through 201 clusters. The government expects the project to directly benefit about 9.6 lakh farmers. It plans to expand horticulture cultivation from the existing 8.41 lakh hectares to 14.41 lakh hectares and raise production from 222 lakh metric tonnes to 435 lakh metric tonnes.
Irrigation is a major component of the plan. The government proposes to create irrigation potential for about nine lakh acres and stabilise another 4.3 lakh acres. The project also includes drip irrigation facilities, roads, logistics infrastructure, food processing units and export facilities intended to connect agricultural production with larger domestic and international markets.
Of the Rs 40,352 crore proposed through government funding, Rs 20,884 crore is allocated for irrigation, Rs 15,000 crore for horticulture development and Rs 4,562 crore for roads. The government is seeking around Rs 60,000 crore in private investment, which would take the proposed overall investment to approximately Rs 1 lakh crore.
Mango, banana, tomato, pomegranate, dragon fruit, avocado and berries are among the crops proposed for promotion under the hub. Private investment is expected to focus on processing and export activities, creating a supply chain for horticultural produce from cultivation through to final markets.
The project is part of the state government’s plan to build an identity for Andhra Pradesh as a “fruit bowl” alongside its traditional “rice bowl” image. It also aims to improve farm productivity and reduce losses between harvesting and sale. The launch at Madanapalle is the next formal milestone for the proposed regional horticulture programme.
