Rayalaseema horticulture hub aims to double farmers' incomes, says Lokesh
Lokesh performed the bhoomi puja for the project at B.K. Palli in Annamayya district, where an Indian School of Agriculture was also launched.
The Rayalaseema horticulture hub is aimed at doubling farmers' incomes, Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh said at the ground-breaking for the project at B.K. Palli in Madanapalle mandal of Annamayya district on Friday.
Lokesh said an Indian School of Agriculture, which will carry out research at every stage from seed to production and marketing, had been launched the same day. Fruit varieties known around the world could now be grown in the region, he said, and the hub would bring jobs.
He said bananas grown in Rayalaseema had worldwide recognition, and that farmers' produce should reach export markets. The NDA government would take responsibility for doubling farm incomes.
"Gandhi was the first person to say that if farmers do well, the country does well. I learnt about the hardships of Rayalaseema farmers during the Yuvagalam padayatra. We gave the Mission Rayalaseema declaration in Kadapa in June 2023," he said.
Drip irrigation, which Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu brought from Israel in 1997, was withdrawn by the previous government, Lokesh said, adding that the TDP not only laid foundation stones but completed projects. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan attended.
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