Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday announced a series of major initiatives to strengthen innovation and research in the horticulture sector, including the launch of master’s and Ph.D. programmes in new subjects such as post-harvest management, plant pest control and plant diseases.
While addressing the inaugural session of a four-day national conference organised by Maharana Pratap Horticulture University and Lieutenant Amit Memorial Foundation in Karnal, the CM also dedicated 14 Horticulture Science Centres to the university.
He said the centres would help provide farmers with modern technologies, quality planting material and scientific guidance.
Speaking on the theme “Strategic Paradigm of Quality Seeds and Planting Material for Horticultural Crops in Amritkaal,” Saini said India produces over 360 million tonnes of horticultural produce annually and is among the world leaders in fruits and vegetables production. However, he stressed the need to improve quality planting material, grading, disease management and post-harvest systems to reduce economic losses.
CM said horticulture-based farming and crop diversification are essential to increase farmers’ income amid shrinking landholdings, climate change, declining groundwater levels and rising farming costs.
He said the foundation stone of Maharana Pratap Horticulture University’s main campus was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 9, 2024 and within a short period, the university has made significant progress in education, research and farmer services. He said the university’s technologies, farmer training programmes and outreach efforts are accelerating Haryana’s horticulture revolution.
Referring to PM Modi’s vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” Saini said the mission focuses on self-reliant agriculture, nutritional security, scientific innovation and farmers’ prosperity.
Highlighting the government’s policies for the welfare of farmers, he said 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.
He announced that 1,000 acres across Haryana will be brought under smart horticulture technologies such as protected cultivation, hydroponics, aeroponics, vertical farming, greenhouses and e-pest management. The first Rural Haat Mandis linked with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) will also be inaugurated on Kisan Diwas on December 23, 2026.
Saini said the “Meri Fasal Mera Byora” portal will remain open throughout the year for horticulture crop registration during 2026-27, while a new cold chain policy is being proposed to improve storage, price stability and exports.
He also announced a Haryana Potato Seed Act to promote certified tissue culture-based potato seed production, aiming for an annual output of 7.5 lakh quintals of quality seed potatoes.
He added that districts like Karnal, Kurukshetra, Sonepat, Panipat and Ambala are emerging as key mushroom production hubs and will receive special support for value addition. A Regional Research Centre affiliated with Maharana Pratap Horticulture University will also be established at Chansoli in Ambala district.
Highlighting the role of technology, Saini said artificial intelligence, biotechnology and sensor-based systems would revolutionise horticulture in the coming years. He urged scientists to develop climate-resilient, disease-resistant, water-efficient and high-yield crop varieties.
He expressed confidence that the deliberations during this national conference will provide new direction to the country’s horticulture policy, take research to new heights and open new avenues for the benefit of crores of farmers.
On this occasion, VC of Maharana Pratap Horticulture University, Prof Suresh Malhotra, Chairman of ASRB Dr Sanjay Kumar and other guests also addressed the gathering.
Meanwhile, the CM also honoured scientists, innovators and progressive farmers with various awards for their contributions to horticulture and agricultural innovation.
