Pawan Kalyan Announces Major Horticulture Development Plan for Rayalaseema

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has announced plans to turn Rayalaseema into a major horticulture centre. The government aims to move the region beyond its long history of drought by improving farming facilities, water supply, roads and access to markets.

Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Rayalaseema Global Horticulture Hub (GHH) and the Indian School of Agriculture (ISA) in Madanapalle, Pawan Kalyan said the government was working to create better opportunities for farmers.

The plan focuses on helping farmers grow more crops, reduce losses and earn better prices for their produce. The government also wants to connect local farmers with markets across India and other countries.

Pawan Kalyan Focuses on Farmers and Horticulture

Rayalaseema has faced water shortages and drought conditions for many years. According to Pawan Kalyan, the government wants to change the region’s image by developing horticulture and improving the facilities available to farmers.

The plan includes better irrigation systems, improved roads, cold storage facilities and food processing centres. These developments are expected to help farmers transport their crops quickly and keep their produce fresh for longer.

The government also plans to build a complete system covering farming, storage, processing, transportation, marketing and exports. This would help farmers reach more buyers and reduce the problems they face when selling their crops.

Over Rs 8,000 Crore Spent on Development Works

Pawan Kalyan said development projects worth more than Rs 8,000 crore had been taken up in Rayalaseema over the past two years under the Palle Panduga programme.

Horticulture cultivation has also expanded across around 2 lakh acres in Andhra Pradesh, including 62,000 acres in Rayalaseema. These efforts have benefited approximately 28,000 farmers.

Road development is another major part of the government’s plan. According to Pawan Kalyan, more than 23,000 road works were taken up with an investment of over Rs 4,500 crore. More than 5,000 kilometres of roads have been completed as part of these projects.

Better roads can make it easier for farmers to transport fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products to markets without unnecessary delays.

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Water Conservation Projects Support Farming

Water availability remains an important issue for farmers in Rayalaseema. To address this problem, the government has been working on water conservation projects, including Project Jaladhara.

Pawan Kalyan said nearly 70,000 farm ponds had been constructed to support water storage and improve farming conditions. These efforts helped bring another 50,000 acres of land under cultivation.

He also said the region’s average groundwater level had increased by around 3.6 metres through water conservation measures.

Such projects can help farmers manage water shortages and support cultivation during periods of low rainfall.

Farmers Grow Different Crops in Rayalaseema

Despite high temperatures and difficult weather conditions, farmers in Rayalaseema have continued to explore different crops.

Pawan Kalyan highlighted KLD apple cultivation in Anantapur, where farmers have successfully grown apples even when temperatures crossed 45 degrees Celsius.

The region also produces mangoes, bananas, tomatoes, pomegranates, lemons, sweet oranges, dragon fruit, avocados, apples and berries.

Expanding horticulture can give farmers more choices and reduce their dependence on a limited number of crops. However, the success of these crops also depends on suitable farming methods, water availability and local weather conditions.

What Is the Rayalaseema Global Horticulture Hub?

The Rayalaseema Global Horticulture Hub is planned as a system to support farmers at different stages of production and sales.

The project is expected to bring several facilities together, including:

• Cold storage units: To keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer.
• Pack houses: To sort, grade and pack agricultural produce.
• Food processing units: To turn raw produce into products with additional market value.
• Value-addition centres: To help farmers earn more from their crops.
• Export facilities: To connect local horticulture products with international buyers.

By linking these facilities with horticulture clusters, the project aims to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the movement of farm produce.

According to Pawan Kalyan, the system is expected to help protect around 40–45 lakh metric tonnes of agricultural produce from losses.

Project Expected to Create Jobs and Increase Income

The Global Horticulture Hub could also create employment opportunities in Rayalaseema. Along with farming, the project may support jobs in food processing, storage, packaging, transportation and exports.

Pawan Kalyan said that from the third year, the project could generate additional gross value addition of around Rs 81,000 crore and create nearly 50 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities.

These figures represent the project’s expected outcomes, rather than results already achieved. Its actual impact will depend on how the facilities are developed and how successfully farmers and businesses use them.

If the plan delivers its expected benefits, it could create new income opportunities for farming families and support related businesses across the region.

Conclusion

Pawan Kalyan’s horticulture development plan aims to create better farming opportunities in Rayalaseema through improved infrastructure, water conservation and access to wider markets.

The proposed Global Horticulture Hub could help farmers store their produce, reduce losses and explore new opportunities in food processing and exports. Road development and irrigation projects are also expected to support agricultural growth.

The results will depend on how effectively these projects are implemented. For farmers in a region that has faced repeated water shortages, better infrastructure and improved access to markets could make a meaningful difference.

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