Stories
Rayalaseema to Become Global Fruit Bowl; Anant Ambani Declares Himself 'Son of Andhra'
- •AP CM Nara Chandrababu Naidu launched the Rs 1 lakh-crore Global Horticulture Hub and Indian School of Agriculture (ISA) in Madanapalle, aiming to transform Rayalaseema into a global "fruit bowl."
- •The project, spanning 10 districts and 201 clusters, will expand horticulture by six lakh acres, with Rs 40,000 crore government investment and Rs 60,000 crore private mobilization.
- •Anant Ambani, Reliance Industries Executive Director, pledged full support to the ISA, requesting to be treated as a "son of Andhra" and offering guidance on contributing to the state's development.
- •The ISA, established with Reliance's participation, will focus on advanced agri-tech, AI, precision farming, and climate-resilient agriculture to connect research with farmers' needs.
- •Naidu highlighted government efforts in irrigation, water conservation, and river-linking, while praising Ambani's environmental initiatives and urging Reliance to support agri-tech and research in AP.
Key Questions Answered
The Rs 1 lakh-crore Global Horticulture Hub aims to transform the drought-prone Rayalaseema region into a global fruit bowl by creating an integrated ecosystem for horticulture, irrigation, food processing, logistics, and exports. The project expects to invest Rs 40,000 crore from the government and Rs 60,000 crore from private investments, expanding cultivation by six lakh acres and boosting farmers' incomes.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman jointly laid the foundation stone for the Global Horticulture Hub and the Indian School of Agriculture at Madanapalle in Annamayya district.
The Indian School of Agriculture, established with Reliance's participation, will focus on advanced agricultural education, research, and technology. It aims to develop agricultural leaders and promote precision farming, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and climate-resilient farming practices.
