Rythu Kosam: Andhra Pradesh Primary Sector Mission Rayalaseema Region Baseline Summary Report, Research Report IDC-15

Andhra Pradesh has set for itself the primary target of becoming a developed state in India by the year 2022, specifically in the areas of socio-economic development and ease of doing business. The vision is to lay foundation for the ‘Sunrise state of Andhra Pradesh’. The achievement of this vision is incumbent upon a fast paced and sustained double-digit growth delivered through a combination of programmatic and project interventions with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development. To operationalize its vision, the state government has charted out a multi-pronged strategy comprising seven missions, five grids and five campaigns. Among the seven, primary sector mission (Rythu Kosam Mission) is on the top aiming for achieving double digit growth in agriculture and allied sectors. Massive outlay of investments over five year period (2015-2020) are targeted in agriculture development under consortium approach by bringing state, national and international partners on board. ICRISAT leads the consortium in partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and has designed a strategy to transform the agriculture and allied sectors in the state. The prime focus of this mission is focused on improvement in soil fertility, access to better seed, reducing costs of cultivation, productivity enhancement and value addition in agriculture, horticulture, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors. Initially, thirteen pilot sites representing 13 districts of the state were identified and established for introduction, testing and scaling-up of technologies over a period of time. The proven technologies will be scaled-up to the entire district with suitable institutional reforms and different scales. Supply and demand side interventions are aimed for improving the livelihoods of the farmers in the state.