Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has made a concrete plan for the promotion of horticulture crops through cluster-based farming. Agriculture minister K. Atchannaidu unveiled it while presenting the Agriculture Budget 2025-26, tabled in the State Assembly on February 28. The minister went on to say that the government will leave no stone unturned to develop crop-specific clusters based on fruits as per the local climate, market demand, and other factors, focusing on improving exports so that farmers can get better prices for their produce and boost their incomes as well.
The state government is set to provide subsidies to farmers to encourage better crop quality and higher yields. Several crops such as banana, mango, cashew, chili, coconut, oil palm, and cocoa will be promoted through this initiative. The National Horticulture Board is set to support these clusters, aiming to achieve over 15% annual growth in the sector.
The government has already approved clusters for different fruits, such as a banana cluster in Anantapur. Mango in Chittoor, Annamayya, and Tirupati. Cashew in Srikakulam, ASR, and Parvathipuram-Manyam. Coconut in Srikakulam, East Godavari, and Konaseema. Oil Palm & Cocoa in Eluru, East Godavari. Chilli in Prakasam, Guntur. It is likely that the project will be implemented soon.
These initiatives align with the Swarna Andhra 2047 Vision, with the goal to transform the state’s agriculture sector. The minister urged farmers to take advantage of government schemes and improve their incomes through modern farming techniques. This move is likely to generate higher revenue for both farmers and the state; besides this, it will enhance the position of Andhra Pradesh in the horticulture market worldwide.
