Rayalaseema Global Horticulture Hub Launched in Madanapalle

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the government aims to transform drought-prone Rayalaseema into a major horticulture region. On October 2, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, CM Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, along with Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani and other leaders, laid the foundation stones for the Global Horticulture Hub and the Indian School of Agriculture (ISA) in Madanapalle. The horticulture hub is planned with an estimated investment of ₹1 lakh crore, with government funding and private investment proposed for different components. The project will cover 10 districts through 201 clusters and aims to expand horticulture cultivation by another six lakh acres. The Times of India

Naidu said the initiative would focus on supporting farmers from production to processing, marketing and exports through a Seed-to-Shipment model. He highlighted plans involving food processing, agri-tech, logistics and agricultural infrastructure, along with crops such as bananas, avocados, kiwis, dates and other horticultural produce. The proposed Indian School of Agriculture, with Reliance Industries' support, will focus on agricultural research, modern technology, digital agriculture, precision farming, smart irrigation and market intelligence. Anant Ambani said Reliance would support the initiative and requested that he be treated as a “son of Andhra Pradesh” and guided on how he could contribute to the state's development. Naidu responded by describing Ambani as a beloved son of Andhra Pradesh.