Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Friday in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, that the central government has broadened its support for agriculture and allied sectors by partnering closely with state authorities to enhance rural livelihoods.
During the event, the minister highlighted mobile veterinary units and the deployment of veterinarians across districts as key measures strengthening the dairy and fisheries sectors, thereby creating new income opportunities for farmers and rural households.
Sitharaman also spoke of the Centre’s commitment to transforming Rayalaseema into a “Ratnala Seema” or land of prosperity, following the National Democratic Alliance’s decisive mandate in 2024. She described Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s ambitious Rs 1 lakh‑crore initiative that will cover ten districts, including eight in Rayalaseema and two adjoining districts, to establish a world‑class Global Horticulture Hub. The project is backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
The minister emphasized the focus on water‑use efficiency and advanced technologies to boost productivity in water‑stressed areas. Climate‑resilient agriculture is promoted through scientifically developed seed varieties, the GOBARdhan initiative that converts rural waste into biogas, solar pumps under PM‑KUSUM for free irrigation electricity, and the PM Fasal Bima Yojana for crop insurance, all aimed at strengthening agricultural resilience and improving farm incomes.
