Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project to Provide Better Markets and Modern Facilities to Farmers: CM
Chandigarh, June 17: The Haryana Government is continuously working to strengthen horticulture alongside agriculture as a key pillar of the state’s development. To enhance farmers’ income, promote crop diversification and bring modern technologies to the fields, the state is developing horticulture research centres, centres of excellence and technology-driven projects across Haryana.
In this direction, Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated a state-of-the-art Horticulture Research Centre established at Raiya in Jhajjar at a cost of ₹13.27 crore and a Seed Production Technology Centre of Excellence built at Munimpur, Badli at a cost of ₹8.50 crore. The Chief Minister said these projects would play a significant role in providing farmers with modern technologies, advanced research, and quality planting material, thereby giving fresh momentum to the horticulture sector in the state.
Horticulture ; Chief Minister also inaugurated and dedicated seven other development projects
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated and dedicated seven other development projects worth ₹53.60 crore to the public. These include the Jhajjar Mini Secretariat and Residential Complex, new buildings for government schools in various villages, and water works projects for Saundhi and Nimana villages. He said these initiatives would strengthen education, drinking water supply, administrative services, and public amenities while giving a new direction to the region’s overall development.
The programme was attended by Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar and his wife Rachel Azar, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana, BJP National Secretary Om Prakash Dhankar, First Secretary at the Israeli Embassy Dr. Sara Olga, Bahadurgarh MLA Rajesh Joon, Additional Chief Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department Vijayendra Kumar, and several other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister noted that the event coincided with the birth anniversary of the great warrior Maharana Pratap. Paying tribute to him, he said Maharana Pratap’s life symbolizes courage, self-respect, sacrifice, and unwavering determination. His ideals continue to inspire people to face challenges with confidence and resilience. The Chief Minister also administered a pledge to contribute wholeheartedly towards the vision of a developed India.
Major Development Announcements for Badli Constituency
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini reiterated his commitment to accelerating infrastructure, healthcare, education, sports, irrigation, and rural development in the Badli Assembly Constituency. Acting on a memorandum submitted by BJP National Secretary and former Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of a dedicated research centre at the Regional Centre of Excellence and Research Centre in Raiya under Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal, focusing on horticultural produce and medicinal plants of Jhajjar district.
To strengthen healthcare services, a modern 50-bed hospital will be constructed in Badli village. Additionally, ₹1 crore will be provided for the construction of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Bupania village.
To promote sports, authorities will build a model sports stadium in Bhindawas village. The state will also invest ₹5.87 crore to construct the new BDPO office building in Machhrauli.
“Government to spend ₹52 crore on renovating 70 km of roads.”
The Chief Minister announced that the government will spend ₹52 crore to renovate 70 kilometres of Public Works Department (PWD) roads in the constituency, and another ₹15 crore to upgrade 25 roads under the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board. The government also approved ₹30 crore to convert the northern bypass of Badli village into a four-lane road.
To facilitate farmers, the government will spend ₹3 crore to establish a crop procurement centre in Badli, and it will construct a similar facility in Patoda village once land becomes available.
To improve drainage and irrigation systems, the state will spend ₹1.60 crore to line the drain passing through Kheri Jatt, MP Majra, Badli, Pelpa, and Pahasour villages. The government has allocated another ₹1.75 crore to lay pipelines up to Drain No. 8 to ensure floodwater drainage from Girdharpur, Dhakla, Chandol, and surrounding villages.
Under the Mahagram Scheme, the government will spend ₹50 crore to lay sewerage lines in Badli and MP Majra, while investing ₹13 crore to strengthen drinking water supply infrastructure.
Finally, the Chief Minister announced an additional grant of ₹5 crore for rural development works in the constituency and reiterated the state government’s commitment to balanced and comprehensive development in every region of Haryana.
Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project
The Chief Minister said the state government has launched the ₹2,738 crore Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project to reduce post-harvest losses and provide farmers with better returns for their produce.
Under the project, 400 horticulture clusters will be developed and 500 producer groups will be organized and strengthened. Farmers will receive access to modern technology, training, financial assistance, and improved market linkages.
The project also aims to construct 1,000 rainwater harvesting structures and bring 65,000 acres under micro-irrigation. Smart horticulture practices such as protected cultivation, aeroponics, hydroponics, greenhouse farming, and vertical farming are being promoted. The government is also working towards implementing a new cold-chain policy to strengthen storage facilities, stabilize prices, and promote exports.
Agriculture as an Avenue for Entrepreneurship
Calling upon youth to embrace agriculture as a business opportunity, the Chief Minister said agriculture today has evolved far beyond traditional farming and has become a modern agri-business sector. Technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, data analytics, smart sensors, digital marketing, and e-commerce are opening new opportunities.
He highlighted the immense potential of agriculture-based startups, food processing units, agri-industries, and export-oriented enterprises in rural areas. Young people can create employment opportunities not only for themselves but also for others by entering these sectors.
Agriculture Minister Advocates Natural Farming
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana stated that agriculture has expanded beyond wheat and paddy cultivation to encompass diverse sectors like horticulture, floriculture, seed production, fisheries, animal husbandry, and agro-processing.
He urged farmers to reduce excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides and adopt natural farming practices. He stressed that excessive use of chemicals impacts human health and livestock and that natural farming based on indigenous cows can enhance soil fertility while ensuring safe and high-quality food production.
Need to Transform Farming Practices: Om Prakash Dhankar
BJP National Secretary and former Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar welcomed the Chief Minister, Agriculture Minister, and Israeli Ambassador to Badli. Sharing his experiences from international visits, he highlighted China’s “peri-urban agriculture” model, where horticulture crops cultivated around metropolitan areas significantly enhance farmers’ incomes.
He urged the state government to introduce special incentives and schemes to promote horticulture in the Badli region and submitted a memorandum outlining development demands and public aspirations.
India-Israel Partnership to Strengthen Horticulture
Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said cooperation between India and Israel in agriculture and horticulture continues to deepen. Despite limited water resources, Israel has achieved remarkable success through innovation, research, and advanced technologies.
He noted that the Centres of Excellence and research institutions established in Haryana are successful examples of this partnership. He expressed confidence that the Raiya Horticulture Research Centre and the Munimpur Centre of Excellence would play a vital role in transferring modern technologies, advanced cultivation practices, and research outcomes to farmers
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The Ambassador affirmed that India and Israel would continue strengthening cooperation in innovation, water conservation, productivity enhancement, and farmer prosperity in the years ahead.
Among those present were Vice-Chancellor of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal, Dr. Suresh Malhotra, Director General of Horticulture Dr. Arjun Saini, Police Commissioner Dr. Rajshree Singh, Deputy Commissioner Varsha Khangwal, and other senior officials and dignitaries.
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