⏩Nirmala Sitharaman, Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan and Anant Ambani lay foundation for Global Horticulture Hub and Indian School of Agriculture at Madanapalle .
Annamayya/Madanapalle(Rights Media): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani jointly laid foundation for Global Horticulture Hub and Indian School of Agriculture here today(Friday).
The Global Horticulture Hub to be developed at an estimated investment of Rs 1 lakh crore and under the Global Horticulture Hub, 5,860 villages will be developed into 201 clusters, while horticulture cultivation will be expanded across an additional six lakh acres. The project aims to provide comprehensive support to farmers at every stage, from production and marketing to processing and exports.
Later addressing the people the Chief Minister said the government would focus on stabilising both crop production and prices. A wide range of horticultural crops, including apples, strawberries, bananas, avocados, kiwis and dates, would be promoted based on regional suitability.
He added that food processing, agri-tech, logistics and agricultural infrastructure would be developed to establish an integrated ecosystem that benefits farmers. Through a comprehensive Seed-to-Shipment approach, the government aims to ensure sustainable and stable incomes for farmers.
The Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said..
the people of Rayalaseema could produce immense agricultural wealth if assured irrigation facilities were provided, while effective marketing systems would help generate greater prosperity.
He said the government was taking steps to complete major irrigation projects, including Handri-Neeva and Galeru-Nagari. The Handri-Neeva canal had been completed with an expenditure of Rs 3,500 crore, taking water up to Kuppam. He said the government plans to complete 36 priority irrigation projects at a cost of Rs 35,000 crore over the next three years and dedicate them to the nation.
Highlighting the challenges posed by climate change and El Nino conditions, the Chief Minister said nearly 1,600 TMC of Godavari water had flowed into the sea this year. Through the Pattiseema project, approximately 500 TMC of water had been diverted to the Krishna Delta over the past decade.
He said the interlinking of rivers had enabled the government to conserve water in the Krishna Delta and divert it to Rayalaseema. The Polavaram project would be completed next year and dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Stressing the need for a comprehensive water management network, the Chief Minister said the country needs an integrated water grid. He said he had brought the proposal for linking the Godavari and Cauvery rivers to the attention of the Union Finance Minister. The Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project, he said, could address drought conditions in Rayalaseema and provide a long-term solution to water-sharing challenges among four southern states.
The Chief Minister said the Indian School of Agriculture, being established in Madanapalle with the support of Reliance Industries, would focus on developing expertise in agriculture, horticulture, modern technology, research and artificial intelligence.
The institution would focus on research, innovation, modern farming technologies and AI applications, while also developing practical solutions to address farmers' needs.
The Chief Minister specially acknowledged the support extended by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Andhra Pradesh and major national infrastructure projects.
The Chief Minister also appreciated Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani for coming forward to establish the Indian School of Agriculture in Madanapalle. Recalling Anant Ambani's contribution of electric buses to Tirumala, the Chief Minister appreciated his commitment to social and environmental causes.
Speaking on the occasion Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani
highlighting his close association with Andhra Pradesh requested the Chief Minister to consider him a son of Andhra Pradesh and sought his guidance on how he could contribute further to the development of the State.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu warmly embraced Anant Ambani and in his subsequent speech, responded to his sentiments by declaring that Anant Ambani was a beloved son of Andhra Pradesh. He expressed the hope that Reliance Industries would become an even greater partner in the State's development.
Speaking on the occasion Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Swadeshi and Swaraj and Lal Bahadur Shastri’s “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan slogan, highlighting their commitment to the welfare of farmers. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had also laid a strong foundation for agricultural development, she said.
Following the same vision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been implementing several initiatives for farmers, including the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi and measures to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fertilizers. Despite global challenges and war-related disruptions, the government has ensured that farmers do not face fertilizer shortages, she said.
