Rayalaseema to expand horticulture area to 14.41 lakh hectares by 2030, says BJP leader

The area under horticulture cultivation in Rayalaseema would expand from 8.4 lakh hectares to 14.41 lakh hectares by 2030, said BJP State general secretary Nagothu Ramesh Naidu on Wednesday.Addressing the media, Mr. Ramesh Naidu said Rayalaseema should not be identified merely with drought, as the region has abundant resources and land suitable for horticultural crops.Rayalaseema’s experience showed that commercial crops such as banana, papaya and pomegranate could be cultivated over larger areas with limited water through drip irrigation.He said the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremonies connected with a horticulture hub would be held in Madanapalle on October 2, with the participation of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, among others.The government has been focusing on infrastructure for horticulture and development of minor irrigation projects, he said, adding that the proposals envisaged central assistance of around ₹40,352 crore and private-sector investments of around ₹59,000 crore.The objective has been to establish processing and value-added industries so that farmers can secure better returns and local employment opportunities, he said. Madanapalle tomato, tamarind, banana and sweet orange should be provided better global market and export opportunities, while processing, storage and marketing infrastructure needed to be strengthened to prevent price crashes during peak seasons, he said.Mr. Ramesh Naidu said the government was targeting an increase in horticultural production to 435 lakh tonnes by 2030. Transport, railway connectivity and digital marketing systems also needed to be strengthened to facilitate faster movement and marketing of farm produce, he said.He criticised the previous government over what he described as reductions in subsidies for drip irrigation and farm equipment and alleged that decisions under GO 365 had adversely affected irrigation projects in Rayalaseema.The coalition government has been working to complete irrigation projects and eliminate the impact of drought in the region, he said. Surveys are also being conducted on proposals for rebuilding the Annamayya project and preventing future flood damage, he added.Mr. Ramesh Naidu said the availability of Krishna water to Badvel area in Kadapa district had improved with the Veligonda project. Development of industries, infrastructure and irrigation would create more employment opportunities for youth within Rayalaseema, he said.He appealed to the public to avoid attempts to create regional, caste and emotional divisions, and said development, farmer welfare and employment should receive priority. He urged farmers from villages across the region to attend the October 2 programme in Madanapalle. Published - September 30, 2026 08:02 pm IST