The hub, part of the Rayalaseema Integrated Horticulture Development Plan, will be built across the four former Rayalaseema districts as well as Prakasam and Nellore districts, targeting drought‑prone areas that have lagged in agricultural productivity.
According to a state release on September 23, the central government’s contribution will come in various forms under the Purvodaya scheme, while the remaining ₹60,000 crore is expected to be raised through private sector participation, underscoring the project's public‑private partnership model.
Officials say the initiative aims to boost horticulture‑related activities, create market‑linked opportunities for farmers and raise farm incomes by diversifying away from rain‑fed crops, especially as the region awaits the completion of several irrigation projects that will supply reliable water for agriculture.
In tandem with the hub, the Indian School of Agriculture (ISA) will be launched at Madanapalle. The institute, established through a memorandum of understanding signed on August 3 between the Andhra Pradesh government and the Reliance Group, will focus on training in artificial intelligence, digital farming tools, climate‑resilient practices, post‑harvest systems and market intelligence.
Naidu’s itinerary from September 29 to October 3 includes a series of regional programmes: a DoPT Karmayogi Mission event in Vijayawada, the Palle Panduga celebration in Udayagiri, distribution of house‑site pattas to 24,000 beneficiaries in Vijayawada, a ‘Pedala Sevalo’ pension distribution, and participation in the Swarna Andhra‑Swachh Andhra campaign after the October 2 foundation ceremony. He will also attend the annual Swachh Andhra event in Vijayawada on Gandhi Jayanti and conclude with the PanIIT conference on October 3.
The combined funding and educational components are presented by the state as a coordinated effort to modernise agriculture, improve water security and generate sustainable livelihoods for the Rayalaseema region.