Chandigarh, May 28
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini today unveiled a series of major announcements to promote innovation in the horticulture sector. He said that Master’s Degree and Ph.D. programmes will also be started in new subjects such as Post-Harvest Management, Plant Pest Control and Diseases. He dedicated 14 Horticulture Science Centres to Maharana Pratap Horticulture University and said that these centres will play a significant role in delivering the latest technologies, quality planting material and scientific guidance to farmers.
The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural session of the National Conference organised by Maharana Pratap Horticulture University, Karnal and Lieutenant Amit Memorial Foundation. The conference is based on the theme “Strategic Paradigm of Quality Seeds and Planting Material for Horticultural Crops in Amritkaal.”
During the event, the Chief Minister honoured horticulture scientists and progressive farmers with shields, shawls and certificates of appreciation. Vice Chancellor of the Horticulture University, Dr. Suresh Kumar Malhotra, also honoured the Chief Minister, MLAs and other guests by presenting them with a statue of Maharana Pratap.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. The country produces more than 360 million tonnes of horticultural produce annually. Today, India is among the world leaders in the production of fruits such as mango, banana, guava and pomegranate, as well as vegetables including potato and onion. However, despite high production, the country continues to suffer major economic losses due to deficiencies in quality, grading, disease-free planting material and post-harvest management.
Saini informed that the foundation stone of the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticulture University was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 9, 2024. In such a short time, the university has achieved remarkable milestones. Whether in education, research or farmer services, the institution has established a distinct identity. The technologies developed here, training programmes and continuous interaction with farmers are giving new energy and momentum to Haryana’s horticulture revolution.
CM said that Modi has envisioned the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 before the nation, and this vision is not limited to economic development alone. It is a vision of self-reliant agriculture, nutritional security, scientific innovation and prosperity for crores of farmers. The Chief Minister said that the world now recognises that quality seeds and planting material can increase agricultural productivity by 15 to 25 percent. Therefore, there is a need to focus on quality planting material, scientific management and modern supply chains. He said that the hard work of farmers and research by scientists made the country self-reliant in food grain production. However, changing times demand new approaches. With small landholdings, declining groundwater levels, climate change and rising costs, farmers’ income cannot increase through traditional farming alone. Therefore, crop diversification and horticulture-based farming models are emerging as the path to farmers’ prosperity in the future.
CM said that the government has launched several welfare schemes for the benefit of farmers in the horticulture sector. To increase farmers’ income, a target has been set to double the horticulture sector and triple production by the year 2030. The state has established 13 Centres of Excellence for horticulture. He further informed that under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, protected prices have been fixed for 21 horticultural crops, including fruits and vegetables.
The Chief Minister said that the budget for the current financial year includes a provision to bring 1,000 acres under smart horticulture technologies such as protected cultivation, aeroponics, hydroponics, greenhouses, vertical farming and e-pest management in all districts. Rural Haat Mandis will also be established in the state and linked with pack houses of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). The first Rural Haat Mandi will be inaugurated on December 23, 2026, on the occasion of Kisan Diwas.
