Andhra Pradesh Launches Rs 1 Lakh-Crore Global Horticulture Hub

Andhra Pradesh plans to build a very large farming and fruit-growing project in the Rayalaseema region.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman started the project in Madanapalle.

The project is expected to cost about Rs 1 lakh crore and will be built in three phases.

It will cover 10 districts, hundreds of clusters and thousands of villages.

Farmers will be encouraged to grow fruits such as apples, avocados and kiwis.

The government wants to increase the land used for horticulture and raise total production.

The project is expected to directly help about 9.6 lakh farmers.

A new Indian School of Agriculture will also teach modern farming methods and develop agricultural technology.

Reliance Industries will work with the state government on establishing and managing the school.