Let Rayalaseema be known for development, not drought, says Pawan Kalyan
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy CM K. Pawan Kalyan, Reliance CEO Anant Ambani and Nara Lokesh during the launch of the Horticulture Hub at Madanapalle in Annamayya district on Friday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Rayalaseema will be known for its development and horticultural potential rather than the legacy of drought, said Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan.
At a public meeting after launching the Rs 1 lakh “Global Horticulture Hub – Rayalaseema Rising” project and laying the foundation stone for the Indian College of Agriculture here on Friday (October 2, 2026), Mr. Pawan Kalyan said that the three-phase plan will bring together irrigation, horticulture, export warehouses, rural roads. “The project covers 10 districts through 201 clusters, with government investment of ₹40,352 crore and private investors expected to contribute around ₹60,000 crore,” he said.
“We have plans to expand horticulture cultivation from 8.41 million hectares to 14.41 million hectares and increase production from 222 million metric tons to 435 million metric tons. The project will directly benefit around 9.6 million farmers while irrigation works will create 9 million acres and 3 more cutouts.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that Rayalaseema has already demonstrated its potential through a wide variety of crops. He said the water conservation works have also enhanced water security in the region.
Export focus: Lokesh
Human Rights Minister Nara Lokesh said the idea of a horticulture center came up during his Yuva Galam padayatra, when he traveled 1,587 km across Rayalaseema and interacted with farmers. The center would conduct research covering seeds, productivity, cold storage, packaging, mechanization and natural farming to take Rayalaseema’s produce to international markets among other states.
The proposed Indian School of Agriculture, being developed with the support of Reliance Industries, would focus on digital agriculture, precision agriculture, crop monitoring, smart irrigation, scientific research and market intelligence. Lokesh said the institution should help develop varieties suitable for global demand and enable farmers to engage more effectively in international value chains.
Ministers Payyavula Keshav, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, BJP state president PVN Madhav, Reliance Industries managing director Anant Ambani and Annamayya district collector Nishant Kumar among others were present.
Published – 02 Oct 2026 20:50 IST