In a major push to strengthen the rural economy, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched an ambitious horticulture plantation drive under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), tailored to each region’s agro-climatic strengths, with a target of taking up the exercise in one lakh acres across the State.
The initiative is designed not only to create durable livelihood assets but also to generate long-term income for small and marginal farmers, Shashibhushan Kumar , Principal Secretary, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, told The Hindu.
As per the region-wise crop strategy, North Andhra will see the plantation of cashew, mango, coconut, acid lime, guava, seethaphal, tamarind, silver oak, and rubber. Coastal Andhra will focus on mango, cashew, acid lime, guava, coconut, sapota, pomegranate, and cocoa, while Rayalaseema is expected to grow mango, sweet orange, acid lime, guava, sapota and pomegranate. These region-specific choices aim to maximise productivity and ecological compatibility.
Mr. Shashibhushan Kumar said the selection of fruit crop species would be as per the choice of the beneficiary, and had the recommendation of the horticulture officer on the soil suitability and availability of water. Farmers would be encouraged in perennial horticulture crops such as fruit trees, commercial crops and floriculture.
A key highlight of this year’s programme was a mega plantation drive held on July 8, which covered 25,000 acres in a single day across the State, he added.
The official launch was conducted at Veerapanenigudem village in Krishna district, where mango saplings were planted in the field of a local farmer by Mr. Shashibhushan Kumar, along with senior IAS and IFS officers and local dignitaries.
In FY 2024–25, an extent of 63,582 acres were brought under horticulture plantations benefiting 41,008 farmers. For FY 2025–26, the State targets 1,00,000 acres. Since the inception of the programme, plantations had been raised on 7.69 lakh acres, benefiting 4.65 lakh farmers, he explained.
Under the initiative, each eligible beneficiary can cultivate fruit-bearing trees on 0.25 acres to 5 acres. Financial assistance of up to ₹1.09 lakh per acre over three years will cover inputs such as land preparation, saplings, manures, watering, and fencing. Only plantations with 50% or higher survival rate, monitored via a mobile app, will qualify for continued support.
The programme aims to transition rural employment from seasonal wage support to recurring agricultural income, with expected earnings of ₹80,000 to ₹1,00,000 per acre per annum post-harvest. Additionally, technical support, high-quality planting materials, and training are being provided in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture.
The Principal Secretary observed that by blending employment with asset creation, the Andhra Pradesh government was transforming MGNREGS into a long-term livelihood enabler, promising both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Published – July 12, 2025 08:20 am IST
