Andhra govt to turn Rayalaseema into global fruit bowl
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh has unveiled ambitious plans to convert the drought-ridden Rayalaseema region into a global fruit bowl by establishing a state-of-the-art horticulture hub. The Rayalaseema Integrated Horticulture Hub project aims to create a world-class agriculture ecosystem capable of exporting Andhra Pradesh's produce internationally.
The initiative involves developing the region into a world-class horticulture hub across 10 districts, incorporating 201 clusters. The project, which is expected to cost nearly ₹1 lakh crore, will be a public-private partnership with the government contributing ₹40,000 crore and private sector investing ₹60,000 crore. To combat the severe drought affecting Rayalaseema, water infrastructure projects such as micro-irrigation, Handri-Neeva, and Galeru-Nagari systems, along with the construction of farm ponds and check dams, have been implemented.
The CM also emphasized the potential of Rayalaseema to transform from distress to development by integrating horticultural crops, Farmer Producer Organisations, food-processing industries, and marketing systems. The government is also exploring alternatives to El Niño's impact on agriculture and plans to use AI-based analytical systems to identify the most beneficial crops for farmers and consumers.
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