Madanapalle all set for launch of Global Horticulture Hub on October 2

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Madanapalle is ready for the launch of the ambitious Global Horticulture Hub, the coalition government’s flagship initiative to transform Rayalaseema into a “Fruit Bowl of India.”

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan will formally launch the ₹1 lakh-crore project on October 2.

The town, already known for its tomato, tamarind and mango belts, is at the centre of the State’s horticulture push.

The district administration and horticulture officials are making elaborate arrangements for the launch, even as farmers across the Rayalaseema districts are looking forward to the benefits.

The project will be implemented in three phases. The government will pump in ₹40,352 crore through the Purvodaya scheme, while ₹60,000 crore will be mobilised from private players. It will support farmers from seed to export.

The hub will cover 10 districts, including Annamayya, Chittoor and Tirupati, spanning 303 mandals and 5,869 villages. This is expected to cover a total of 14.41 lakh hectares of horticulture area and double production to 435 lakh tonnes, benefiting 9.6 lakh farmers.

The hub focuses on mango, banana, tomato, pomegranate, dragon fruit and avocado, backed by food processing units, cold storages and export linkages. The groundwork for the project has been underway for six months.

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