Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Rayalaseema Plan Targets Horticulture Growth Through Water Investment
Rayalaseema often has too little rain, so farmers can have trouble growing crops that need steady water.
A new plan aims to improve irrigation and help farmers grow more fruits and other horticultural crops.
It includes canals, lift irrigation, tanks and water-saving systems.
The plan also aims to build roads, storage facilities and places to process crops.
These facilities could help farmers keep more of the value of what they grow and avoid selling when prices are low.
The plan covers 201 farming clusters across 10 districts.
It aims to improve production and incomes for about 9.6 lakh farmers.
Its success will depend on whether water and other facilities reliably reach farms.
The proposed Rs 1 lakh crore Integrated Horticulture Development Plan aims to expand horticulture across Rayalaseema.
The Global Horticulture Hub – Rising Rayalaseema covers 201 clusters across 10 districts and targets 14.41 lakh hectares.
The plan allocates Rs 20,884 crore to irrigation and aims to create nine lakh acres of new ayacut while stabilising another 4.3 lakh acres.
Micro irrigation and fertigation are planned for nearly 6.5 lakh hectares, alongside roads, packhouses, cold storage and processing facilities.
The plan seeks to improve farmers’ incomes and market access, with about Rs 60,000 crore of the proposed investment expected from private investors.
- Who
- The plan is aimed at horticultural farmers in Rayalaseema, with about 9.6 lakh farmers targeted.
- What
- A proposed Rs 1 lakh crore development plan seeks to expand horticulture through irrigation, farm infrastructure and market connections.
- When
- The Global Horticulture Hub – Rising Rayalaseema was launched on October 3; the first irrigation phase is planned for August 2026 to July 2027.
- Where
- Rayalaseema, across 10 districts, with the hub launched at Madanapalle.
- Why
- To address water constraints, increase horticultural productivity and improve farmers’ incomes and access to markets.
- Proposed plan investment
- Rs 1 lakh crore
- Expected private investment
- About Rs 60,000 crore
- Irrigation allocation
- Rs 20,884 crore
- Clusters and districts
- 201 horticulture clusters across 10 districts
- Target cultivation area
- 14.41 lakh hectares
- Farmers targeted
- About 9.6 lakh
- Planned rural roads
- Around 5,721 km for reconstruction or expansion
- Micro irrigation and fertigation
- Planned for nearly 6.5 lakh hectares of horticultural land