Chandigarh, September 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday approved the setting up of a Horticulture Knowledge Centre at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The centre will form part of a ₹1,300-crore project aimed at promoting crop diversification, expanding high-value horticulture, strengthening the sector’s value chain and increasing farmers’ income. Punjab has set a target of bringing 16 lakh hectares under horticulture by 2036.
Chairing a meeting to review the Horticulture Department, Mann said the project would promote horticultural crops through area expansion and stronger value-chain infrastructure while encouraging sustainable farming practices, improving soil health and conserving water.
“Punjab currently has a net sown area of 41.25 lakh hectares, of which 5.27 lakh hectares is under horticulture, with a production of 106.10 lakh metric tonnes,” the Chief Minister said.
He noted that fruits, vegetables, spices and aromatics, flowers and other crops constitute the major components of Punjab’s horticulture sector. Kinnow and guava are among the major fruits, while potatoes and peas are key vegetables. Beekeeping and mushroom production are also part of the sector.
According to Mann, the JICA-supported project will focus on machinery, infrastructure, marketing, seeds and research, besides expanding horticultural cultivation. The government aims to increase the horticulture area to 16 lakh hectares by 2036, which would be nearly three times the current area.
The project will prioritise sustainable horticulture value chains, farmer incentives, expansion of the cultivated area and improvement of nurseries through quality planting material. It will also focus on post-harvest infrastructure, market access, extension services and technical support.
The Horticulture Knowledge Centre at PAU will provide institutional support for research, technical knowledge, capacity building and adoption of improved horticultural practices.
Mann said the initiative would strengthen the horticulture ecosystem from planting material and cultivation to post-harvest management, marketing and market access, while creating better economic opportunities for farmers.
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Ravi Bhagat, Secretary Agriculture Arshdeep Singh Thind and other senior officials attended the meeting.
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