A.P. horticulture registers revival, contributes ₹1.52 lakh crore to GSDP

Andhra Pradesh’s horticulture sector has staged a revival since June 2024, emerging as a key growth engine of the State economy with a contribution of ₹1,52,950 crore to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2024-25. With 18.57 lakh hectares under horticulture cultivation and a production of 406.38 lakh metric tonnes, the State now ranks first in the country in fruit production, accounting for 15.6 per cent of national output.

High productivity in crops such as oil palm, papaya, acid lime, cocoa, tomato, coconut and chilli has further strengthened Andhra Pradesh’s position. The Rayalaseema region continues to spearhead horticultural growth, with 7.8 lakh hectares under cultivation and a Gross Value Added (GVA) of ₹76,458 crore. Officials attribute this growth to widespread adoption of micro-irrigation, crop diversification and technology-driven interventions.

Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu said that after a phase of moderate growth between 2019 and 2024, the sector witnessed a sharp rebound in 2024-25, registering 21 per cent growth and taking horticulture GVA to ₹1,52,951 crore. The government has set an ambitious target of ₹1,77,422 crore for 2025-26, of which ₹39,624 crore has already been achieved in the first two quarters. He added that 22 identified growth-engine crops including banana, mango, chillies, oil palm, tomato, coconut, cocoa, cashew, turmeric and papaya now contribute nearly 80 per cent of the sector’s GVA.

Under the Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation Project (APMIP), 1.90 lakh hectares were covered between June 2024 and December 2025, placing the State at the top nationally in micro-irrigation implementation during 2024-25. Six districts from the State feature among the top 10 districts in India. Subsidies were enhanced to 100 per cent for SC and ST farmers across the State, while additional support was extended to farmers owning 5-10 acres in Rayalaseema, Prakasam and coastal districts. Automation in micro-irrigation systems was also introduced.

Under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), ₹203.88 crore was spent to clear pending liabilities, benefiting 1.18 lakh farmers, the Minister said. The fruit cover initiative in mango was expanded from 10,000 to 50,000 hectares to improve quality and export potential, he added. 

The State remains India’s top oil palm cultivator, accounting for 50 per cent of the national area. Since June 2024, plantations were taken up in 44,024 hectares, with subsidies of ₹247.87 crore released. Through PM-RKVY, ₹28.02 crore was spent to support hybrid vegetables, protected cultivation and trellis systems.

“The government also intervened decisively during market crises, providing ₹11.84 crore to cocoa farmers, ₹190.61 crore to Totapuri mango growers and ₹128.33 crore to onion farmers,” he said, adding that the sector’s turnaround reflects focused policy support, farmer-centric measures and technology adoption, positioning horticulture as a cornerstone of Andhra Pradesh’s long-term agricultural growth strategy.