Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Andhra Pradesh Plans Rayalaseema Horticulture Hub
Andhra Pradesh wants to help farmers in Rayalaseema grow more valuable fruits and other crops.
The region often faces drought and has limited irrigation and market connections.
The plan would improve water access, roads, storage and processing facilities.
It would also help farmers sell their produce to businesses and markets in India and other countries.
The work is expected to happen in three phases between 2026 and 2029.
The state says the plan could raise farm incomes and create jobs.
It also hopes to make Rayalaseema known as a major place for growing and selling fruit.
Andhra Pradesh’s plan aims to make drought-prone Rayalaseema a major horticulture production, processing and export centre.
The programme is planned in three phases from August 2026 to July 2029, covering 201 clusters across 10 districts.
The state plan proposes about Rs 1 lakh crore in investment, including Rs 40,352 crore in public funding and around Rs 60,000 crore from private investors.
Targets include expanding horticulture to 14.41 lakh hectares, creating irrigation potential across nearly nine lakh acres, and improving 5,721 km of rural roads.
Officials say the initiative will connect farmers to processing and domestic and international markets; the state estimates it could add around Rs 81,000 crore in annual GVA from its third year.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, with comments from Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu and other state leaders.
- What
- A proposed integrated horticulture development plan to expand production, irrigation, processing and market access in Rayalaseema.
- When
- The three implementation phases are planned from August 2026 to July 2029.
- Where
- Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh, across 201 clusters in 10 districts.
- Why
- To address drought, irrigation shortages and weak market connectivity, while improving farm incomes and developing horticulture exports.
- Proposed total investment
- Approximately Rs 1 lakh crore: Rs 40,352 crore public funding and around Rs 60,000 crore from private investors.
- Implementation period
- August 2026 to July 2029, in three phases.
- Coverage
- 201 clusters across 10 districts.
- Horticulture area target
- 14.41 lakh hectares.
- Water and roads
- New irrigation potential across nearly nine lakh acres, stabilisation of another 4.3 lakh acres, and 5,721 km of proposed rural roads.
- Estimated annual GVA
- Around Rs 81,000 crore in additional GVA from the third year onwards, according to the state estimate.
- Estimated employment
- Approximately 19.7 lakh people, according to the state estimate.
