Andhra Pradesh to Boost Horticulture Across 1 Lakh Acres Under MGNREGS

Speedy Summary

• Andhra Pradesh Government has launched a horticulture plantation drive under MGNREGS across one lakh acres, tailored to regional agro-climatic strengths.
• Crops include cashew, mango, coconut, guava, tamarind, sapota, pomegranate, acid lime, and others based on region-specific strategies for North Andhra, Coastal Andhra, and Rayalaseema.
• Farmers can cultivate perennial horticulture crops on 0.25 to 5 acres with technical support and financial assistance up to ₹1.09 lakh per acre for three years covering inputs like saplings and fencing.
• Monitoring plantations via mobile apps ensures continued support onyl if survival rates exceed 50%.
• Target annual income post-harvest ranges from ₹80k-₹1 lakh per acre; the scope extends beyond seasonal employment into sustained agricultural revenue.
• On July 8th mega plantation drive occurred over 25k acres in one day; FY 2024-25 achieved coverage of over 63k acres benefiting over 41k farmers with plans for expansion next year.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The initiative demonstrates a strategic shift in using MGNREGS for lasting livelihoods rather than merely providing wages during lean periods. By integrating rural employment schemes with asset creation that aligns ecological balance with farmers’ economic prospects-this approach has the potential to simultaneously enhance productivity and income levels across Andhra Pradesh’s varied regions.

The emphasis on region-specific crop strategies backed by scientific soil suitability checks is promising as it optimizes land use while supporting small-scale farmers. The mobile app-based monitoring system adds transparency to fund utilization while encouraging accountability among beneficiaries-a key factor in ensuring long-term success.

If executed successfully at scale over targeted timelines (one lakh acres FY2025-26), this project could set an example worth emulating nationwide as a model of inclusive agricultural growth driven by government intervention alongside environmental responsibility principles.

read more