Haryana CM launches Rs 2,738-crore project for sustainable horticulture promotion

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said farmers, youth, women, and modern technology will play a pivotal role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat-2047.

He said making Haryana the country's leading state in horticulture, agri-business, cold chain infrastructure, food processing and agricultural exports is among the government's top priorities.

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Calling for collective action, the chief minister urged all stakeholders to work together towards making agriculture more sustainable, modern and profitable, transforming water conservation into a mass movement, and ensuring a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

Saini was addressing a programme organised in Panchkula on the occasion of World Environment Day, where he launched the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded sustainable horticulture promotion project worth Rs 2,738 crore and laid the foundation stone of the Haryana Agri-Business and Cold Chain Centre.

He said both initiatives would not only enhance farmers' incomes but also serve as milestones in transforming Haryana's agricultural ecosystem into a modern, sustainable and high-value sector.

Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana was also present on the occasion. Earlier, both leaders planted saplings under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visited an exhibition organised by the Horticulture Department. An environmental conservation pledge was also administered during the event.

Among those present were JICA Chief Representative Takeuchi Takuro, First Secretary (Food and Agriculture) Hayase Takehiko, and British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio.

All three dignitaries appreciated the Haryana government's initiatives aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector and improving farmers' welfare, an official statement said.

Addressing farmers, the CM expressed confidence that Haryana would once again show the way to the nation and lead a horticulture and agri-business revolution, just as it had spearheaded the Green Revolution decades ago.

He said while Haryana had played a defining role in ensuring India's food security through the Green Revolution, changing climatic conditions, declining groundwater levels, rising cultivation costs and shrinking landholdings now necessitate diversification.

Saini said horticulture, fruits, vegetables, spices, medicinal plants, floriculture, mushroom cultivation and beekeeping offer immense opportunities for farmers to increase their incomes.

The CM announced that to address waterlogging and soil salinity issues in several districts, the government would undertake plantation activities on 1,000 hectares of waterlogged land this year using biodrainage technology, thereby restoring the land for agricultural use.

In addition, 25 new water storage dams will be constructed and 25 existing dams renovated in the Shivalik and Aravalli regions to strengthen groundwater conservation efforts.

Highlighting the Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project, the Chief Minister said nearly 20-30 percent of fruits and vegetables currently perish before reaching markets. The project seeks to address this challenge through the development of robust post-harvest infrastructure.

Under the initiative, 400 horticulture clusters will be developed, 500 producer groups will be organised and strengthened, and infrastructure, including 402 pack houses, four lead pack houses, three fulfilment centres and 44 retail outlets will be established.

The project also envisages the construction of 1,000 rainwater harvesting structures and the expansion of micro-irrigation systems to cover 65,000 acres.

He said the project would strengthen the entire farm-to-market value chain and enable farmers to realise better prices through a modern cold chain network.

Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring systems, soil and water analysis, digital agricultural advisory services, internet of plants, geospatial technology, e-marketing and modern packaging solutions will be integrated into the project.

Calling upon the youth to embrace entrepreneurship, the CM urged them to become employment generators rather than job seekers by exploring opportunities in agri-business, food processing, agricultural exports, and allied industries.

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Referring to India-Japan relations, the Chief Minister said ties between the two countries span centuries and continue to deepen.

Haryana hosts 394 Japanese industries and more than 600 Japanese business establishments, reflecting the strength of bilateral cooperation and friendship.

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