Getting down to the nitty-gritty of horticulture devpt roadmap

Tirupati: The Integrated Horticulture Development Plan for Rayalaseema will be implemented over three years, from August 2026 to July 2029, in three annual phases comprising six half-yearly investment packages (IP1 to IP6).

The first phase, from August 2026 to July 2027, covering IP1 and IP2, involves an allocation of Rs 12,066 crore. The focus will be on completing irrigation projects, lift irrigation schemes and tanks to improve water availability. Seventy-two horticulture clusters will be developed during this phase, along with rural road works.

The second phase, from August 2027 to July 2028, covering IP3 and IP4, involves an allocation of Rs 15,036 crore. It will focus on developing major canals, expanding horticulture activities to another 67 clusters, and strengthening rural road infrastructure.

The final phase, from August 2028 to July 2029, covering IP5 and IP6, involves an allocation of Rs 13,250 crore. The focus will be on completing distribution systems, taking all 201 horticulture clusters to saturation levels, and strengthening their links with export markets.

Of the government’s total investment of Rs 40,352 crore, irrigation will account for Rs 20,884 crore, horticulture Rs 14,906 crore, and rural roads Rs 4,562 crore. The irrigation component is aimed at creating a new ayacut of nine lakh acres and stabilising another 4.3 lakh acres. Major irrigation projects and canal systems will be developed in a phased manner.

The horticulture component will cover micro-irrigation and fertigation, besides support for agri-business start-ups, farmer producer organisations (FPOs), and skill development through Centres of Excellence. Private participation is expected to provide a major share of the additional investment, taking the overall proposed investment under the plan to about Rs 1 lakh crore.

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Pradeep Vennelakanti

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