Nirmala Sitharaman announces expanded agricultural support and horticulture hub in Andhra Pradesh

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the expansion of central support for agriculture and allied sectors to bolster rural livelihoods. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Rayalaseema Global Horticulture Hub and the Indian School of Agriculture in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, Sitharaman highlighted several government initiatives designed to support farmers.

Key programs mentioned include the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi for direct benefit transfers, Kisan Credit Cards for institutional credit, and the PM Fasal Bima Yojana for crop insurance. To address rising costs and climate challenges, the government provides significant subsidies on urea and promotes climate-resilient seed varieties. Other initiatives include the PM-KUSUM scheme for solar-powered irrigation and the GOBARdhan initiative for biogas production.

In Andhra Pradesh, the central government is collaborating with state authorities to transform the Rayalaseema region into a prosperous hub. This includes an ambitious Rs 1 lakh crore initiative to create a world-class Global Horticulture Hub, supported by multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The project aims to integrate advanced technologies and improve water-use efficiency to enhance agricultural productivity.