Andhra CM, Union FM lay foundation for ₹1 lakh-crore global horticulture hub at Madanapalle

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday laid the foundation for a ₹1 lakh-crore global horticulture hub at Madanapalle here on Friday.

They also laid the foundation stone for the Indian School of Agriculture (ISA).

Horticulture Hub will be implemented in three phases with an estimated investment of ₹1 lakh crore. Of this, the TDP-led NDA government will contribute ₹40,352 crore while efforts will be made to mobilise ₹60,000 crore investments from the private sector, an official release said.

The project will cover Anantapur, Annamayya, Chittoor, Kurnool, Nandyal, Sri Sathya Sai, Tirupati, Kadapa, Prakasam and Markapuram districts.

Development works will be undertaken through 201 clusters spread across 303 mandals and 5,869 villages in these 10 districts.

The government plans to expand the existing horticulture cultivation area of 8.41 lakh hectares by another six lakh hectares, taking the total to 14.41 lakh hectares.

The project aims to increase horticultural production from the current 222 lakh metric tonne to 435 lakh metric tonne, directly benefiting 9.6 lakh farmers, the release said.

ISA, modelled on the lines of the Indian School of Business, which has played a significant role in promoting industrial and business education, will focus on advancing agricultural development through modern technology, research and innovation.

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has come forward to work with the state government in establishing and managing the institution.

The ISA will provide technology-driven guidance to farmers and develop solutions to address key challenges in the agricultural sector.

It will focus on modern technology, scientific research, digital agriculture, precision farming, crop monitoring, smart irrigation and market intelligence, among other activities.