State proposes a ₹1 lakh crore integrated horticulture mission to expand cultivation, boost food processing, improve irrigation, and strengthen exports across Rayalaseema.
The Andhra Pradesh Government has sought the Central Government’s support for the proposed Rayalaseema Integrated Horticulture Development Plan, an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming the region into a leading horticulture and food processing hub. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu presented the proposal during a meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighting the project’s potential to strengthen agricultural productivity, food processing, and exports.
The integrated development plan envisages an investment of around ₹1 lakh crore to expand horticulture across 10 districts in Rayalaseema and adjoining regions. The state aims to increase the horticulture cultivation area to 14.41 lakh hectares and raise annual production to 435 lakh metric tonnes by 2030, significantly enhancing the region’s contribution to India’s fruit and vegetable sector.
A key component of the proposal is the development of 201 horticulture clusters with an investment of ₹14,906 crore, expected to benefit nearly nine lakh farmers. The plan also includes investments in irrigation, cold-chain infrastructure, warehousing, grading, packaging, processing facilities, and rural road connectivity to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access.
To support long-term growth, the state has proposed 23 irrigation projects worth ₹20,884 crore, which are expected to create irrigation potential for about nine lakh new acres while stabilising irrigation across an additional 4.3 lakh acres. Improved water availability is expected to boost the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, spices, and other high-value horticultural crops.
The initiative also focuses on strengthening the food processing ecosystem by encouraging public and private investments in value-added products, export-oriented processing units, and integrated supply chains. The government expects investments of ₹40,000 crore from the public sector and ₹60,000 crore from private enterprises, creating significant opportunities for food manufacturers, exporters, and agribusinesses.
If implemented with Central support, the Rayalaseema Integrated Horticulture Development Plan is expected to improve farmer incomes, expand food processing capacity, enhance export competitiveness, and establish Andhra Pradesh as one of India’s leading centres for horticultural production and value-added food manufacturing.