NEW DELHI, September 19, 2026: Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav on Saturday said a high-level brainstorming session involving Union and state finance ministers, economists, private-sector experts and former senior bureaucrats had focused on how India and individual states should set development goals for ‘Vision 2047’ and mobilise the financial resources needed to achieve them.
Speaking to reporters at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi, Keshav said the discussions, led by the Union Finance Ministry, went beyond the question of routine financial transfers from the Centre and examined ways in which states could generate additional resources to meet their long-term development needs.
The session brought together finance ministers from various states along with private-sector specialists, economists and retired senior bureaucrats. Keshav described the initiative as an important step towards developing a broader financial strategy for the country and the states.
Agriculture was among the key sectors discussed during the meeting, he said. The deliberations covered the challenges confronting farmers, investment requirements, access to credit, integration of water resources and measures to reduce the risks posed by climate change to agriculture.
The meeting also examined opportunities in the energy sector and ways to strengthen public-private partnerships. Experts associated with the Tata Group and Kotak Group, along with former Planning Commission chairpersons, shared their views, Keshav said.
“Successful experiments being implemented in some states were also discussed,” the minister said, adding that the exchange of ideas could provide useful inputs for the Centre, state governments and society as they plan for long-term economic development.
Global Horticulture Hub planned for Madanapalle
Keshav also said the Andhra Pradesh government was preparing to launch a Global Horticulture Hub in Madanapalle, with the inauguration expected in the last week of September or the first week of October.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is expected to participate in the inauguration, he said. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has also been invited to the event, and the final date is expected to be announced shortly.
The minister said the proposed hub would be part of the state's broader efforts to strengthen horticulture and create greater opportunities in the sector.
Government preparing for weather-related challenges
Responding to questions about the prevailing weather conditions, Keshav said the government was preparing to deal with the challenges arising from the current climatic conditions and the anticipated impact of El Niño on southern India.
He said the immediate priorities were to protect standing crops and ensure that drinking-water shortages did not emerge.
“Under the guidance of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, the government is taking all necessary measures to address the situation,” Keshav said.
The minister said the government would continue to monitor developments and take precautionary measures to protect agriculture and drinking-water supplies.
