Naidu Pushes Global Horticulture Hub Plan for Andhra

Amravati: N. Chandrababu Naidu has asked officials to draw up a comprehensive roadmap to transform the Rayalaseema region, along with Prakasam and Markapuram districts, into a major global hub for horticulture. At a high-level review meeting with ministers and senior bureaucrats, the Chief Minister outlined plans to develop 10 districts into specialised horticulture clusters, leveraging the state’s existing strengths in fruit and vegetable production. Noting that Rayalaseema already ranks among India’s leading horticulture belts, Naidu called for scaling up the region into what he described as the world’s largest integrated horticulture cluster. He emphasised aligning production with international market demand and directed officials to prepare a long-term strategy to significantly expand output. The Chief Minister also flagged growing investor interest, stating that DP World has expressed willingness to establish a horticulture cluster in the state. He stressed the need to actively attract private investment alongside leveraging central government support under schemes such as Purvodaya. A key focus of the proposed plan is strengthening supply chains. Naidu asked departments to design an integrated logistics framework covering food processing infrastructure, warehousing, cold storage networks and port connectivity to boost exports and reduce post-harvest losses. Irrigation infrastructure was highlighted as a critical enabler....