Andhra Pradesh is developing 23 sector-specific clusters covering quantum technology, horticulture, rare earth minerals, biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, data centres, cement and automotive manufacturing. The strategy is intended to attract investment, encourage innovation and create employment opportunities across different skill levels, Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh said at a Public Affairs Forum of India event.

The state will launch its Horticulture Mission on October 2, with close to Rs. 1 tn allocated for research. It also plans to establish an Indian School of Agriculture, modelled on the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad, to strengthen agricultural research and development.

Lokesh said horticulture and aquaculture were important components of Andhra Pradesh's growth strategy alongside advanced technologies. Amaravati is being developed as a quantum technology hub covering cryogenics, material sciences, quantum applications and industrial manufacturing use cases.

Andhra Pradesh has taken the lead in bringing IBM's first 150-qubit quantum computer to Amaravati and plans to develop a wider ecosystem around the technology. The minister said the cluster strategy would support both blue-collar and white-collar employment, while skilling would be essential to meet demand across sectors.

The state is targeting 50,000 hotel rooms as hospitality companies including Oberoi, Mayfair, Taj, Marriott and Hyatt expand their presence. Lokesh also cited Google's investment in Andhra Pradesh and further investments in data centres. The state's economy is currently valued at USD 200 bn, and it has set an ambition of reaching USD 2.4 tn by 2047. He said achieving that objective would require development across agriculture, horticulture, manufacturing and advanced technology sectors, with the 23 clusters forming part of a broader investment, skills and employment strategy.