Chandigarh, February 18 – Punjab Minister of Horticulture, Mohinder Bhagat, announced on Wednesday that Punjab is set to experience a major positive transformation in the horticulture sector, with an investment of approximately Rs 1,300 crore. This will help increase farmers' income and create new opportunities in value addition and exports.
Addressing the media here, the minister stated that Punjab will adopt successful practices from the Maharashtra horticulture model, enabling farmers in the state to earn better profits through organized farming, processing, and improved market linkages.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Sahyadri Farmers Producer Company Ltd in Nashik, Maharashtra, to strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Punjab through training and institutional support.
Bhagat stated that his visit to Nashik was very beneficial, as the delegation studied how farmers can work together through FPOs to improve production, grading, packaging, processing, and exports.
He added that Sahyadri is working with thousands of farmers across more than 30,000 acres, exporting fruits and vegetables to 42 countries, demonstrating how collective efforts can bring prosperity to farmers.
The minister said the delegation visited modern packhouses, processing units, research farms, and training centers, where they interacted directly with farmers and experts. He emphasized that state farmers can benefit from scientific crop planning, better quality control, and strong market connections, which were key features of the model studied during the visit.
Talking about the agreement, the minister said it will help form strong farmer groups in Punjab, providing training, technology support, and guidance so that farmers can benefit from working collectively and get better prices for their produce.
Bhagat reiterated that the state government is fully committed to promoting crop diversification towards horticulture, increasing value addition, and creating sustainable income opportunities for farmers, adding that Punjab has the potential to emerge as a leading horticulture hub in the country.