District Collector A. Shyam Prasad on Friday (September 25, 2026) said that Sri Sathya Sai district would play a pivotal role in transforming Rayalaseema into a global horticulture hub.
Addressing a review meeting with Agriculture and Horticulture officials, the Collector said that the Integrated Horticulture Development Plan (IHDP) would be implemented vigorously, as it remained an ambitious programme of the State government.
He said that Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu would officially inaugurate the plan at Madanapalle on October 2. The initiative, branded as āGlobal Horticulture Hub ā Rayalaseema Rising,ā would boost farmersā income through better market linkages, processing, value addition, and exports.
Under the plan, Sri Sathya Sai district proposes to develop 1,85,991 hectares of horticulture crops across 23 clusters covering 348 Rythu Seva Kendras, benefiting 2,85,462 farmers at an estimated cost of ā¹1,600.41 crore. Of this, ā¹710.70 crore is earmarked for micro-irrigation across 78,967 hectares and ā¹436.73 crore for high-value crops on 72,789 hectares.
āThe strategy focuses on farm-to-market development, quality planting material, modern cultivation, mechanisation, grading, packing, processing, and strengthening FPOs. Around 58,000 farmers will be covered under awareness and capacity-building programmes,ā the Collector said, urging farmers to participate in cluster-level discussions on September 29, a tractor rally on September 30, and cultural events on October 1 ahead of the launch.
Published ā September 25, 2026 06:48 pm IST
