Rayalaseema ryots who are fighting against the odds deserve all the support, says Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at a stall set up by the Horticulture Department during the launch of the Horticulture Hub project at Madanapalle in Annamayya district on Friday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Rayalaseema farmers “rightly deserve all the support” from the central and state governments as they tirelessly try to cultivate their land with determination despite lack of rainfall and hardship.

The Union Minister on Friday (October 2, 2026) along with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Managing Director of Reliant Ambaniment Industries launched the `1 lakh Global Horticulture Hub – Rayalaseema Rising scheme and laid the foundation stone for the Indian College of Agriculture (ISA).

In collaboration with state governments, the center has extended support across agriculture and allied sectors by deploying mobile veterinary units and veterinarians across districts to support dairy and fisheries livelihoods. With a decisive mandate given to the NDA in 2024, the Governments of India and Andhra Pradesh jointly pledged to transform Rayalaseema into ‘Ratnala Seema’ (Land of Gems and Prosperity). – Smt @nsitharaman in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh (1/n)

— Office of Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharamanoffc) October 2, 2026

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Sitharaman said the event was a “historic moment for the region”. The initiatives were launched on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, whose message of ”Swadeshi-Swarajya” and ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ put farmers at the center of nation building. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuing this focus through initiatives like PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, subsidized fertilizers, crop insurance and climate resilient crop varieties,” she said.

Fertilizer subsidies

The Union minister said that a bag of urea, priced around ₹3,000 internationally, was being supplied to farmers for about ₹300 in India, with the Center getting nearly ₹2,700 per bag as subsidy. “Despite global conflicts, efforts continue to ensure that farmers do not face fertilizer shortages,” she said.

Highlighting the Gobardhan scheme for biogas generation and PM-KUSUM for solar farm pumps, she said that the center and the state are jointly implementing schemes for aquaculture and livestock farmers. “The horticulture center project aims to transform 10 districts of Andhra Pradesh into a global horticulture hub supported by efficient water management, better technology and improved crop varieties,” Ms. Sitharaman said.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi has introduced comprehensive schemes tailored to each individual need of our Annadata to transform their lives. To make agriculture climate resilient, scientifically developed seed varieties that withstand extreme heat and drought have been introduced. Through the GOBARdhan initiative, rural waste is converted into clean biogas, while solar pumps under PM-KUSUM provide farmers with reliable, free, solar energy for irrigation. To protect farmers against crop losses and unforeseen risks, PM Fasal Bima Yojana provides robust crop insurance. – Smt @nsitharaman in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh

— Office of Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharamanoffc) October 2, 2026

“The Indian School of Agriculture established by Reliance can provide specialized support to farmers similar to the role played by the Indian School of Business in management education,” she said, congratulating Reliance and hoping that the institution would develop into a world-class hub.

In a lighter vein, Ms. Sitharaman remarked, “I am a daughter-in-law of Andhra Pradesh, not just a daughter,” responding to Anant Ambani’s request to accept him as a son of Andhra Pradesh.

Published – 02 Oct 2026 19:26 IST