Global Horticulture Hub to be launched in Madanapalle today

TIRUPATI: The NDA government in Andhra Pradesh is set to launch the Global Horticulture Hub (GHH) in Rayalaseema on Friday, marking the beginning of a major plan aimed at expanding horticulture, irrigation, processing and exports in the region.

The GHH is being planned with an overall investment of about Rs 1 lakh crore, including Rs 40,352 crore from the government and around Rs 60,000 crore expected from the private sector. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan will launch the project at Madanapalle. Minister Nara Lokesh and several other ministers and public representatives are expected to attend.

The project has been designed on a “seed to shipment” approach, covering horticulture production, irrigation, roads, logistics, food processing and exports. The government has been working on the plan for nearly six months, holding discussions with various departments, including agriculture, horticulture, finance and irrigation, as well as consultations with the Centre.

The GHH will cover Anantapur, Annamayya, Chittoor, Kurnool, Nandyal, Sri Sathya Sai, Tirupati, Kadapa, Prakasam and Markapur districts. Development works will be taken up in 5,869 villages across 303 mandals, which will be organised into 201 clusters.

The government plans to expand horticulture cultivation from the existing 8.41 lakh hectares to 14.41 lakh hectares. Horticulture production is targeted to increase from 222 lakh metric tonnes to 435 lakh metric tonnes. The project is expected to directly benefit around 9.6 lakh farmers.

The GHH will be implemented in three phases and six packages, with the government aiming to complete the works by June 2029. About Rs 40,352 crore of government expenditure is planned, including Rs 20,884 crore for irrigation, Rs 15,000 crore for horticulture development and Rs 4,562 crore for roads.

Irrigation works will include filling Nallamala Sagar, completing Phase-II of the Veligonda project and taking up works under Handri-Neeva and Galeru-Nagari projects. Restoration of minor irrigation tanks will also be given priority. The plan includes construction of 5,721 km of rural roads to connect farms with markets.

The project will promote crops such as mango, banana, tomato, pomegranate, dragon fruit, avocado and berries. Food processing plants and export facilities are also proposed, with private investment being encouraged. Farmer Producer Organisations will be linked with processing units to improve market access and value addition for farmers.

As part of the Rayalaseema Rising initiative, the leaders will also lay the foundation for the Indian School of Agriculture (ISA) at Madanapalle. Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani is expected to attend the event.

The ISA is being established on the lines of the Indian School of Business, with a focus on making agriculture and allied sectors more profitable. It will provide technology-based solutions to farmers and offer guidance on digital agriculture, precision farming, crop monitoring, smart irrigation and market intelligence.

The institute will also advise farmers on demand-based crop cultivation and promote agricultural start-ups through incubation centres. The state government has said the initiative is aimed at strengthening agriculture through technology, scientific research and better market linkages.

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Pradeep Vennelakanti

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